I recently read in utter disbelief the article in routeone on the air quality consultation. Not one word on coaches in the consultation. A disgrace to the industry.
It’s been proved that coaches are less polluting than most other vehicles, as they have special exhaust systems which are expensive to fit, so what does the mayor do? – he makes the worst-polluting vehicles exempt for five years, and gives them a scheme to buy new vehicles, or help towards the cost.
I believe this to be discriminating against coach companies who try and keep pollution low. What makes it worse is that taxis and coaches are both PCV and both should have been treated the same. I haven’t seen any offer of help or any exemption for coaches – why do taxis get all the help, when they are worse-polluting than coaches?
TfL will get plenty of money from us taxpayers for new shiny Euro 6 buses and any hybrids they want.
Why are the coach companies not mentioned, not a word until it’s time to pay fines or non-euro 6 what suits the government, Look Mr Khan.
Every bit of information I see tells me what the worst-polluting vehicles are. It’s time to think again and stop discriminating against coaches.
We spend thousands a year on emission tests, exhaust systems, money for filter cleaning every few months, more money on maintenance for low emissions and low saps oils, etc.
And why, to what end? To be fined shortly for not having Euro 6 coaches. We are not funded by the taxpayer. In fact only the worst polluters are, but we still get hit in the pocket.
Maybe in 2019 the Mayor will have fleets of black taxis bringing children from schools to visit the capital, or subsidise the school for the extra costs of the fines for not having Euro 6 engines – or will the Mayor subsidise coach companies with a £18,000 retrofit exhaust system?
The big coach companies don’t say a word; they sit on the fence letting smaller coach companies get discriminated against with more fines and more costs, while the real polluters’ taxis get looked after with taxpayers’ money for new vehicles, thanks to the Mayor.
The fact that coaches were not even mentioned in the consultation proves coaches are not wanted, whatever we do. Discrimination, yes, in my opinion. We wait in hope to see if any coach company decides it’s time to act.
Maybe it’s time to find a 16-seater pedal-power vehicle. The cycle lanes and infrastructure are in place and no electric is needed. I live in hope.
Let’s also hope that in 2019 there are enough taxis to bring the visitors into London, because most older coach companies won’t be around due to the excessive costs and fines.
John Connelly
Connelly Coaches
London
