Solar power is being used to prevent hundreds of West Midlands bus shelters adding to global warming.

The new initiative approved by councillors on the conurbation’s Passenger Transport Authority will see improved lighting for passenger safety and comfort at almost 200 shelters over the coming years.

As well as saving more than £1000 per shelter, the plan by public transport body Centro has been calculated to cut down greenhouse gas emissions by 13 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Instead of burning mains electricity, the new lighting units will re-charge their batteries during the day to illuminate the shelter at night.  They will only switch on when a sensor indicates that someone is waiting for a bus – at all other times the lights are dimmed to save even more energy.

“Our ultimate aim is for all bus shelters in the West Midlands to be fitted with lighting,” says Cllr Len Clark, lead member for buses on the Passenger Transport Authority, which sets policy for Centro.  “This new shelter initiative means we can make faster progress on passenger comfort and safety in a way that also delivers value for money and protects the environment.”