Lead way with electric buses

While agreeing with Rosie Duffield that Canterbury should have more charging points for private electric vehicles, there is no mention of charging points for other types of vehicle, in her article in the Kentish Gazette.

The most common of these vehicles in Canterbury are the diesel-powered buses, particularly the frequent university and Park & Ride ones, which operate only in the built-up areas.

I would have thought these buses should be the first to be electrically driven, to cut pollution in the city, yet as far as I am aware no provision has been made to recharge them, even at the new extended Park & Ride in Wincheap.

The use of electric power for these short distance buses is ideal, as they stay some time at the termini where they can be recharged. The long distance buses may still have to use some form of hybrid drive, which would only be switched to all-electric when they enter built-up areas.

If the government is serious about wanting people to convert to nonpolluting electric vehicles, then they must set an example by introducing all-electric public service vehicles into urban areas.

Canterbury was in the forefront of the railway revolution, with the earliest passenger railway, so now it should continue with that pioneering tradition by having its buses electrically driven.