Greyhound’s corporate citizenship is being kept in good order through the continued success of its ‘green dollar’ scheme
December 9, 2010
Greyhound Australia has re-launched a ‘go-greener’ campaign aimed at encouraging its 1.3 million passengers to reduce the carbon footprint of their bus travels.
Greyhound’s ‘green dollar’ scheme has been running for two years, where passengers are asked to add a dollar to their booking, which goes into an environment fund.
In the past two years Greyhound passengers have contributed nearly $290,000 to the Green Dollar scheme, and currently about half of all bookings include the extra green dollar, says Greyhound’s Chief Executive Officer Robert Thomas.
“These funds have been invested into international eco initiatives through the company’s partnership with global carbon solutions company Cleaner Climate,” Thomas says.
He says Greyhound’s Green Dollar program had funded a number of projects that were already making a tangible difference in developing countries.
One such project is the development of a hydro power plant that supplies clean, green power to the rural Indian village of Kullu.
The Kullu hydro plant will reduce CO2 emissions by 124,000 tonnes during its lifetime and create jobs for local villagers.
Cleaner Climate CEO Ben Muir says investment by companies like Greyhound helped get these vital projects off the ground.
“I see a lot of companies that talk the talk, but don’t always walk the walk,” Muir says.
“It’s refreshing to work with organisations like Greyhound who are genuinely committed to creating a cleaner, greener future.”
Thomas says coach travel was one of the most environmentally conscious ways to see the country with a full coach emitting five times less CO2 per passenger per kilometre than a jet aircraft.
“We’re always looking at ways to make our fleet of coaches even more environmentally friendly,” he says.
“Greyhound regularly invests in upgrading our fleet to ensure they operate as efficiently as possible.”