Setting a land speed record to get gas buses on the map

Team Reading finally did it!



The media and other spectators line the viewing area at the Millbrook test track to watch the bus set its record

 

When our Chief Engineer first came to me with an idea to raise the profile of bio methane gas buses and, at the same time, set out to attract a lot of positive publicity for Reading and it’s buses, I have to admit that I was more than a little sceptical.
 

As the discussion appeared to get even crazier, it suddenly became somewhat serious when he confirmed firm interest from a number of industry supplier in getting involved.

 
There had been some low key publicity of  the ‘cow credentials’ of the first batch of Reading gas buses introduced at the end of 2013 and 12 months later the Gas Compression station at our Great Knollys Street Depot was formally launched to a notable media fanfare by none other than Baroness Kramer, the then Minister of State for Transport.
 

Whilst this was all totally on message both politically and with stakeholders, the big question was how could we inspire everyday people on the streets about these wonderful buses and their environmental benefits?

Furthermore, since the gas station launch there had been some mixed messages in the trade press regarding gas buses. Bristol gained massive publicity with its poo bus. Technically identical to Reading's buses that had, by then, been in use for two years, the only difference was the source of the gas that's purchased for them - human waste instead of cow waste (I know what sounds more palatable, metaphorically, to me!). A long running gas bus trial in Lincoln then came to a sudden end. Not because of the vehicles but predominantly, so they tell us, because of the location of the depot and restrictions on a gas filing installation causing unsustainable transport costs (this is a rare, oddball, case).

 

We've also seen government 'green' transport soundbites lean heavily towards electric buses, with some loud and seemingly credible noises from the manufacturers of those vehicles. They are undoubtedly very environmentally sound at the point of use, but this doesn't take into account the production of the electricity or the manufacture and upkeep of the batteries (now an emerging risk with early hybrid and other electric buses). Finally there are still some in our industry that remember the gas buses of old, albeit predominantly LNG as opposed to CNG. Thankfully though, the technology and its reliability has moved on a long way since then!

The project was supported by a number of industry partners

 

So what to do? Reading Buses has been a first mover in a number of areas over the years. The company doesn’t just adopt ‘new’ technology and approaches - we also see it as our responsibility to champion these, especially amongst the non-PLC group operators. 

So, back to the crazy idea! ‘BusHound’, the land speed record attempt, not only gave a platform for Reading to shout about these fantastic buses, spreading the good word that our buses are modern, quick and green. Because of the unique way that key players in the industry supported the initiative, it also gave a global stage to both the bus industry and the wider gas powered commercial vehicle arena. Whilst the core focus of the message has been to a UK audience, we’ve been overwhelmed with just how much media coverage has been generated. Russia, China, India, America and more - I even got interviewed for Canadian radio! Our own YouTube videos have now generated over 26k views (and the BBCs many times that) and we've lost count of the amount of tweets, indeed many are still coming through. It’s been fascinating to watch the message spread across the globe over time and in many different languages!



The event was precision timed by the UK Timing Association

Finally, there are the all too often unsung heroes - This has been fantastic for engaging our employees. It’s encouraged creativity and healthy competition in our engineering function, getting key members of the team out from the behind the scenes and into a positive media spotlight.



The BBC's Paul Clifton interviews driver Malcolm Black after the record attempt

Well done and thank you to everyone involved in making this remarkable event a reality. It’s generated a tremendous amount of positive media coverage, considerably raising the profile of bus travel, demonstrating the credibility of bio-methane and promoting science, technology and innovation in our industry.

 

An unbelievable amount of media coverage resulted from the attempt

 

'BusHound' will be the star attraction at our Charity Open Day on Sunday 14th June, held in aid of the Alzheimer's Society -  http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/articles/reading-buses-open-day-2015/