Number 10: Eco Bus

Have you not seen? Have you not heard? A beautiful, electric-diesel, retro-chic low carbon hybrid bus is here in Leith! Lothian Buses introduced 15 state-of-the-art hybrid number 10 buses to our streets on the 10th September 2011 with help of the Scottish Green Bus Fund. Read more on STV Local.

I've noticed the drivers have big smiles on their faces. Is it because these busses are more efficient, more environmentally friendly and quieter? Or could it be the joys of the little star lights going up the stairs, the plasma screen, stop announcements and free WI-FI? I'd be proud to drive a number 10 if I were a bus driver. It's captured my heart, no bus can be perfect but the number 10 comes close.

On that note, if I were to change it, I'd want it to speak with a male voice (get rid of the posh female Edinburgh accent) and it would talk less and I'd like it to play music and occasionally tell me a fascinating fact but apart from that, it's wonderful. Here's my poetic tribute to the new number 10:

Number 10

Number 10

New Number 10

Electric-diesel

Hybrid

Bus Unique

So smooth and sleek

With stars of shining

Stair-light

Dream machine

So cream and clean

My double decker

Cake Tin 

Retro-chic

You even speak!

Free WI-FI I can

Check-In

Bus, I’m keen

I like it green

Your plasma takes me

North-bound

(an hour later)

Number 10

I have to ask

Please can you speak less

Often?

If you speak

Then be a man

And I will ride you

Home-ward

Heralding the arrival of the new number 10, Lothian buses said:

Hybrid Buses are more efficient than ordinary buses because their engines run only to generate electricity which drives the wheels. We are committed to reducing pollution from our buses and providing the greatest possible environmental benefit for each new passenger who makes the switch from the car to the bus.
In addition, fuel is not an unlimited resource, and its cost is constantly rising, so the less fuel we need to run the buses the more services we can keep running cheaply and efficiently.

The number 10 goes from Western Harbour to Torphin and Bonaly, via Leith Walk, Princes St, Lothian Road, Polwarth and Colinton. Click here for timetable.

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Image credit: Emily Dodd