Nobina: “We drive the equivalent of 19 times round the Earth every day”

Public transport sets an example for the transition to fossil free

What proportion of your bus fleet runs on fossil free fuel?

In the whole of the Nordic region, it is over 80% and in Sweden close to 100%. Public transport sets an example for the transition to fossil free, thanks to the bus companies and our regional transport authorities. Nowadays, fossil free is almost always a requirement in the procurement processes we are involved in.

I see a stronger collaboration between different actors, such as municipalities and private traffic operators. Our most recent example is Barkarbystaden in the fast growing municipality of Järfälla outside of Stockholm. There, we work together with the municipality and Greater Stockholm Local Transport (SL) to make entire journeys sustainable and build a real smart city.

Public transport, urban development, new technology, mobility services and infrastructure work together to create smart solutions, efficient transport and increased benefits for both passengers and taxpayers. Since October 2018, the world's first self-driving buses have been operating on regular routes in Barkarbystaden. In 2019, the first electrified Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line opened in Stockholm, a new and sustainable bus system.

What do you at Nobina do more for the climate?

Quite a lot. Firstly, as mentioned, there is the fuel. Then we have a school for our bus drivers, Gröna Resan (Green Travel), where we teach how to drive in a climate smart way. This eco-driving alone saved the equivalent of 13,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide during the last year! What’s more, this makes journeys far gentler, smoother and more enjoyable for passengers. If we can persuade more people to use public transport, we create a sustainable initiative. You can fit at least 50 single car drivers in one bus! Thirdly, we constantly work with our procurement to find better technologies and even more sustainable solutions. Every day, we drive the equivalent of 19 times round the Earth with around 1 million passengers, so even the slightest improvement can offer great benefits for society and the climate.

Three most important factors for Nobina

1. It is vital for both us and our passengers that public transport works non-stop in all situations

2. Performance in heat, cold and tough conditions, from both operational and maintenance perspective

3. A fuel with a very high carbon dioxide reduction

Solution

We spoke with David Erixon, Head of Communications at Nobina, the largest public transport operator in the Nordic region.

Straight to the point David, how important is HVO / Neste MY for Nobina?

“We run with several fossil free fuels in our buses, biogas, HVO, RME and now also electricity which makes us less sensitive to changes in the market. But if I say that 1,200 of our 3,700 buses in the Nordic region run on Neste MY Renewable Diesel , this will give you an idea of how important HVO is for us.”

What did you take into consideration when you started driving with Neste MY in 2015?

“It was not an overnight switch, we first tested on a smaller scale. Naturally, it is vital for both us and our passengers that public transport works non-stop in all conditions. So we engaged in exhaustive testing and evaluation to be sure that Neste MY works in hot, cold and other tough conditions, from both an operating and maintenance perspective. In addition, Neste MY delivers a very substantial reduction in carbon dioxide.”

What do drivers and passengers say?

“We don’t hear that much from our drivers, which I view as positive as it indicates things are working well. The passengers who choose to travel by public transport know it is the smart choice in many different ways, both for the climate and their own wallet.”