ComfortDelGro takes out S$100 million green loan to decarbonise UK bus fleet

LAND transport operator ComfortDelGro : C52 0% (CDG) obtained a S$100 million green loan facility from DBS : D05 0% to purchase 135 electric buses for its wholly owned subsidiary in the UK, Metroline.

Comprising 77 double-deck and 58 single-deck electric buses, these vehicles will replace Metroline’s current internal combustion engine-powered buses of the same fleet size.

In a joint statement issued between DBS and CDG on Monday (Apr 22), both parties estimated the move to save 9,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent tailpipe emissions annually.

CDG is working towards transitioning its global bus fleet to 50 per cent cleaner energy vehicles by 2030, and ultimately, 100 per cent by 2050.

The green loan is in line with the group’s ongoing efforts to achieve these goals.

Max Lim, managing director and group head of aviation, logistics and transportation for DBS’ institutional banking group, highlighted the transport sector as a significant contributor of greenhouse gas emissions despite being the “lifeblood of any economy”.

Cheng Siak Kian, CDG’s managing director and group chief executive, said: “As a leading multi-modal transport operator, we are keen to drive sustainability through the businesses we operate. This green loan from DBS enables us to advance our sustainability goals, driving positive impact for the environment and the communities we serve.”