http://www.24dash.com/content/news/view ... wsID=10979
Energy company uses superstars' tour bus for green travel plan
A tour bus which was used by Sting, Radiohead and REM is being hired by executives at one of Britain's biggest energy firms as part of a green travel plan to avoid business flights.
Scottish and Southern Energy began renting the coach this month to discourage staff from using planes and help the environment while also cutting costs.
The company said the overnight 450-mile trips by road between its bases in Perth and Reading produced fewer carbon emissions than air travel.
Keane, Bryan Adams, Status Quo and Elvis Costello are among the other music acts who have used the bus.
Described as a "hotel on wheels", the 10-berth vehicle has bed bunks, a fitted kitchen, lounge and a TV, DVD and satellite system.
Alan Young, spokesman for Scottish and Southern, said: "Aviation currently accounts for a quarter of the UK's transport emissions.
"We have a corporate responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint and the great thing about this bus is you can eat, sleep and wash on it.
"It would be nice, too, if by our example we could influence employees' individual and domestic habits to help the environment."
Mr Young admitted the scheme might be seen as "penny-pinching" but said the company did not mind being prudent with shareholders' money.
The move is part of a two-year green action plan under which the firm is also encouraging employees to car-share and cycle to work.
Romsey-based Phoenix Bussing, which provides the rental of the coach, said it was more used to rock and roll stars than environmentally-minded executives.
But the European Regions Airline Association, which represents the interests of the industry, challenged Scottish and Southern's criticism of air travel.
Spokesman Andy Clarke said: "All travel pollutes and the only way to stop pollution is to stop travelling and travel is what drives the economies of Europe."
Copyright Press Association 2006.
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see the bus -
http://www.phoenix-bussing.co.uk/sd10.htm
Elvis' 'eco' bus
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