Israeli bus firm 'accused of environmental defiance'

A bus operator in Israel has been accused by the country's Environmental Protection Ministry of air pollution.

According to the ministry, which raised the issue with the courts, Egged bus company failed to purchase vehicles that adhere to environmental guidelines, The Jerusalem Post related.

The company bought 168 buses which comply with earlier European environmental guidelines and only two that accord with the most up-to-date regulations, the ministry claimed.

Vehicles that satisfy the current guidelines emit 30 per cent less carbon monoxide, nitrogen and hydrocarbons than those adhering to the previous criteria.

Ron Ratner, spokesperson for the company, said: "Egged adheres to the most stringent standards regarding environmental protection and all according to the directives of the transport ministry."

Egged is one of the largest public transport firms in the world and employs 6,227 people, according to information on the organisation's website.