A BUS company has launched a new green fleet of gas buses in a North-East town.

Arriva has introduced 11 gas-engined buses in Darlington after securing £2.2m from the Government's Green Bus Fund to increase more environmentally-friendly travel.

The MAN EcoCity buses run on biomethane, serving three routes in Darlington, the 2, 11 and 12 services, and are part of Arriva's wider £22.2m project to cut carbon emissions.

The gas for the buses will be provided by the Gas Bus Alliance, which was formed to support manufacturers, dealers and operators on how to run low-emission compressed natural gas vehicles.

Nick Knox, Arriva North-East area managing director, said: “As a company we are committed to leading the way when it comes to using new technology to deliver benefits to our customers.

“The buses themselves run mainly on gas out of the national grid and as a company we will contribute bio-gas back into the system.

“This will provide a carbon neutral solution to the environmental challenges we face as a transport provider and our green fleet will not only offer a comfortable way to travel, but an environmentally friendly way too.”