Our environment
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Veolia Transport NSW is committed to the prevention of pollution and considers responsible management of environmental issues as an essential component of our business. Our Environmental Management System operates under the voluntary international standard ISO 14001. Veolia Transport in NSW was the first in its field to be officially recognised as ‘environmentally responsible’ by the state’s Roads and Traffic Authority as part of its continuing commitment to the environment. Click here to view Veolia Transport NSW’s Environment Policy.
The ‘Eco Drive’ program was piloted in New South Wales in 2008 and focuses on driving techniques, mechanical knowledge of the vehicle and health and wellbeing of staff members. The aim of the program is to teach bus and coach drivers how to drive efficiently both from an economic and environmental perspective. In 2008, 26 staff members at Veolia Transport’s Bankstown depot underwent the training which combined both classroom work and actual driving. Participants were asked to drive the bus around a particular route – the time taken to complete the route, the average speed and fuel usage were all measured. The average measures for the first drive were 27 minutes, 26 kph and the average fuel used on this drive was 4.7 litres. The drivers were then brought back to the classroom where they learnt about the ‘Eco Drive’ principles. They were then taken out on their second drive. The second drive took an average of 25 minutes over 11.1 kilometres at an average speed of 25 kph and an average fuel usage of 4.3 litres.
Veolia Transport recognises that vehicle maintenance practices represent a major risk of water pollution. Buses at two of our Sydney depots are washed using 100 per cent harvested storm water. Buses at two other depots are equipped with wash units that recycle 50 per cent of the water used. We conserve raw materials and reduce our greenhouse gas impact through our membership of the Clean Fleet Programme. Clean Fleet is designed to reduce vehicle diesel emissions through audited maintenance schemes. For example, vehicles that may use excess fuel can be identified and fixed.
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