Pandemic could slow move to green buses

VEHICLES LIABLE FOR CHARGES

THE number of buses in Kirklees that meet more stringent green targets is lower than in all other parts of West Yorkshire.

New figures show that just 38 per cent of buses in the district now meet Euro VI standards - the minimum requirement for buses to enter the upcoming Bradford and Leeds Clean Air Zones without paying a charge.

But transport bosses have raised concerns that the financial pressures facing bus companies could delay their plans to further upgrade their fleets to less polluting engines.

The issue was discussed by members of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee on Friday.

The Committee heard that there had been a major rise in the proportion of buses in West Yorkshire upgraded to Euro VI compliant engines.

In third quarter of the 2019/20 financial year (October - December) 43 per cent of the buses in Bradford were Euro VI. But by the end of the first quarter 2020/21 (April to June) the figure was 59 per cent. In Leeds 76 per cent of buses meet the Euro VI emissions targets.

In Calderdale 53 per cent of buses meet the target, with the figure being 50 per cent in Wakefield and 38 per cent in Kirklees.

Plans are under way to introduce a Clean Air Zone in Bradford and Shipley in response to a Ministerial Order to reduce air pollution in the area.

Buses are among the vehicles that would be charged £50 a day for entering the Clean Air Zone – although vehicles that meet Euro VI standards will be exempt.

A report to the committee said: “All five districts have seen increases in the proportion of Euro VI buses in operation since 19/20 reflecting operator investment and the roll out of the £8 million retrofit scheme administered by the Combined Authority with funding from DEFRA which is almost complete upgrading approaching 480 buses.”

Dave Pearson, Director of Transport Services said Government funding for bus upgrades had been directed towards the more polluted districts of Leeds and Bradford.

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the Committee, asked if collapsing bus income due to Covid-19 could impact companies willingness to invest in pricey green upgrades.