Electric shuttle bus introduced by BA at Heathrow Airport

British Airways has become the first airline at Heathrow Airport to introduce an electric shuttle bus service which will be used to transport staff between the terminal and the airline’s head quarters.

The electric shuttle bus service for BA staff will swing into action this week. The airline estimates that over a year, the electric bus will cover 17,710 miles and thanks to the bus’s low emissions, the vehicle will save 20 tonnes in reduced emissions every year compared to a fuel powered bus.

The 8.1 metre long green bus has the capacity to carry 24 seated passengers and additional standing passengers. To highlight the battery powered bus’s green credentials, the vehicle has been painted bright green. The bus will undertake shuttle runs transporting staff between Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport, and British Airways head quarters at Waterside.

British Airways say the new green initiative is just one way in which the airline is looking to reduce its carbon footprint. The battery powered bus service is supplied by Flights Hallmark who say it’s vital for companies to explore different ways for powering vehicles and subsequently reducing their carbon emissions.

BA is also looking at ways in which to reduce their carbon emissions in the air by developing sustainable jet fuel plants. However Lufthansa is the only airline which is currently trialling biofuel on regular commercial routes.

Fast track bus service to Heathrow set to cut out Harefield

Recent proposals show the new express bus service to Heathrow won't stop in Harefield

Residents in the village of Harefield in the London Borough of Hillingdon are up in arms after it was revealed recently that a new fast track bus service to Heathrow won’t be stopping in the village.

Some locals have expressed concerned that they are being “cut out” of the plans and feel as though they’ve been “left out in the cold.” Others have reacted angrily saying, “Do they not think people in Harefield go on holiday and want to get to Heathrow?”

Under the new plans proposed by Hillingdon Council and Transport for London, two express bus routes to Heathrow are being prepared, neither of which will run through Harefield.

The proposal is currently undergoing a consultation period through a local publication, the Hillingdon People Magazine. However at a recent resident’s meeting, many locals complained that they hadn’t received their copy of the magazine.

Although there are a number of bus services running east to west across the village of Harefield, there are scare amount running from north to south.

Local campaigners are urging the residents to join together to fight for improved public transport links through the village. It’s hoped that if these grievances are made known to the council, they can influence Transport for London to make vital changes to the bus travel in the area.

Hillingdon Council are seeking feedback from locals in regard to the proposed bus service. Those who wish to respond need to do so before February 15th either in writing to the council, or through their website.