Finnish bus operator introduces voluntary surcharge for greener transport

Customers can decide on the additional charge, with the minimum amount set at €1 (£0.87)

Finnish bus service provider Savonlinja has announced it is introducing a voluntary surcharge on the ticket price for customers for low-emission journeys.

Called Green Travel, it is being launched in partnership with Neste on all long-distance travel to reduce the bus operator’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Customers can decide on the additional charge, with the minimum amount for the service set at €1 (£0.87)

The money collected through the service will be used to invest in fuelling Savonlinja buses with Neste MY Renewable Diesel, which is produced entirely from waste and residues and is expected to reduce emissions by an average of up to 90% compared to fossil fuel diesel.

That’s equivalent to the removal of nearly 800 passenger cars from the road a year.

Harri Leskinen, Chief Business Officer at Savonlinja said: “Customers have told us that they would like to have more climate and environmentally friendly transport options. Green Travel is the answer to this. Our long term goal is to be able to use only renewable fuel in our entire fleet.”

Currently, 45 Savonlinja buses driving for the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) – which awards subsidies for using biodiesel, bioethanol and biogas – run on renewable diesel.

Technologies for energy users that can help them reduce costs and emissions will be among those on display at The Energy Solutions Show (TESS)  on June 5th at Millennium Point, Birmingham.

If you wish to register as a delegate for free, you can send an e-mail here or to showcase your technology, you can get in touch here.

Latest Podcast