Scientists from the University of Aberdeen have launched a survey of bus users in the city as they investigate ways to promote environmentally friendly bus travel across the UK and beyond.
Aberdeen is home to Europe’s largest fleet of hydrogen buses, and the study - which is funded through The Henderson Economics Research Fund - will take advantage of the city’s status as a leading testing-ground for low emission public transport.
This will include seeking passengers’ views on the importance they attach to environmentally friendly buses, which scientists hope will assist in the introduction of similar modes of low-emission public transport in towns and cities across the UK, and potentially worldwide.
Academics from the University’s Business School and Health Economics Research Unit will be visiting bus stops across the city from today (Thursday, October 20) to canvass opinion from passengers on what they would like to see from their local services.
Luis Enrique Loria, who is the lead investigator on the project, said: “Aberdeen is a unique location to undertake this kind of research, which will help us to study ways to introduce more sustainable and efficient bus services in cities across the UK and abroad.
“The city is home to the largest fleet of hydrogen buses, and this provides us with an opportunity to seek people’s opinions on the use of low-emission public transport in their city, as well on issues such as cost and punctuality.
“From research that we have undertaken already we know that Aberdonians like the idea of having bus services that feature cutting-edge technology and this is something that we are hoping to tap in to through our survey.
“Depending on the results, our findings may help inform strategies for introducing low-emission public transport in other towns and cities in the UK and elsewhere, thus helping to reduce emissions and improve local air quality.
“We have met with Aberdeen City Council and they have expressed a great interest in the outcomes of this study.”