As predicted, proposals for the Low Emission Zone and the Ultra Low Emission Zones in London have go ahead more or less as planned.
There is little compromise for coaches, other than the possibility of considering options for where retrofit equipment has been ordered in good time, but has been not fitted by the deadline.
However, there is compromise for minibuses operated under Section 19 and 22 permits until 2023.
This is unfortunate and I wonder if the wider consequences of this have been carefully thought through? Giving compromise to one group and not another could be seen as discriminatory. We all have an enormous challenge to meet the deadlines, but relaxing them for one group sends out an uncomfortable message.
It is clear that the Healthy Streets agenda embedded in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy is being pursued with vigour.
Given that Sadiq Khan is in the second half of this term of office (the election is in May 2020) and the population in London is growing, don’t be surprised if more proposals that impact on coach and other road transport are put forward in the next year or so.
However, there are also a number of big infrastructure projects that come to fruition in the next 18 months. Don’t underestimate the impact of the opening of the Elizabeth Line. By December 2019 it will provide 10% extra capacity on London’s rail network. Coupled with the improvements to Thameslink and London Bridge, I believe there will be a significant shift from road to rail.
This will have a significant impact on the demand for coach and bus services. For example, the journey from Heathrow Central to Liverpool Street will be 33 minutes, without having to change. In time people will change the way they travel to and from London, which will impact on the coach and bus business.
Local authorities in London will continue to be pressurised to improve the look and feel of their residential streets; internet shopping will evolve (and therefore so will the high street and shopping centres) and there will be even more emphasis on cleaning London’s air.
There will be significant change for us all, starting now and continuing through the next two years and beyond. Compared to what we have had to cope with in the last few years, this could be a shock to those not prepared for it.
As trade bodies we will continue to lobby to ensure that our voice is heard and get the very best for our industry.
But much of what is happening is unstoppable and therefore we have to decide whether we continue to oppose it or embrace it. So, as well as lobbying, bodies such as the LTCOA need to work with their members to ensure that they are prepared and equipped to meet these challenges.
Humans do not adapt well to change, especially in the early stages. It creates stress and worry and we can look back to times it was all so much better. But we forget that change has always been a feature in our lives and we do accept it over time, although we often forget we have.
