While the headline of last week’s announcement of the Government’s clean air plans was that the sale of pure petrol and diesel cars/vans will be banned “by” 2040, there was precious little about the effects on PSV operators.
The announcement does say “We commit £100m towards new low emission buses and retrofitting older buses with cleaner engines,” and reminds of the previously announced £40m Clean Bus Technology Fund grant scheme “to limit emissions from up to 2,350 older buses.” But that is not new money.
The word ‘coach’ is not even mentioned in the consultation.
Happily, you’re not alone. Trade body the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) is supporting you at it says: “We are pleased to see that the Government has taken on board representations by CPT and that as a result the plan recognises the contribution bus and coach travel makes in helping reduce emissions.
“Any measures must be practical and deliverable, and we will actively engage with all parties to ensure that there are no unintended consequences that could see bus and coach operators face unfair or overly-burdensome operating conditions.”
And the CPT continues to explain the benefits of coach and bus travel, to ensure they are recognised as being a solution to improving air quality, not simply one of the causes.
Of course, reducing congestion also improves traffic flow and air quality. But that involves brave political decisions; these remain on the back burner
