Several of the inaugural transport operators of Edinburgh Ecostars have recently undergone reassessment, nine months after originally joining the environmental fleet recognition scheme as members.

Local operator Pollock (Scotrans) originally joined the scheme as a three star member but have upgraded to the top five star assessment level through the addition of a number of high quality vehicles to their fleet and implementation of a number of operational fuel-saving improvements.

Greggs have now advanced from being four star to five star members. Greggs partly achieved this through a reduction of their overall fleet profile made possible by the implementation of new operational practices including greater vehicle capacity utilisation and use of the ‘shoulders of the day’ for making deliveries.

Three of the original five star members, City Circle Coaches, Haggis Adventures and  Highland Explorer Tours have all added to and improved the overall quality of their fleets and all have retained their five star rating.

The improvements by these five members will help make a positive contribution to air quality in Edinburgh for residents, tourists and businesses.

The Ecostars scheme provides free membership to operators of trucks, buses and vans operating within and into the City of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Airport.  Members are given a 1-5 star rating for each vehicle in their fleet based on environmental performance and an overall operational rating.  The scheme currently has nineteen members including national operators and local names.