Buses face low emission zone crackdown

● City to bring in quotas restricting dirty engines to improve air quality

Buses lacking the cleanest diesel engines would be the first vehicles to be banned from Glasgow city centre under anti-pollution measures due to be introduced next year.

Operators could ultimately lose their licences if they ran other buses through what’s expected to be Scotland’s first low emission zone (LEZ), the city council said. However, bus firms expressed anger at being singled out and warned fares could rise and services cut. Environmental campaigners also want other vehicles included in the restrictions from the start.

The council is expected to impose quotas on operators that progressively increase the proportion of buses required to have compliant engines.

Just one in ten buses in main operator First Glasgow’s fleet

0 The council says buses caused the greatest health-threatening nitrogen dioxide pollution in the city centre have such Euro VI engines.

The council said buses caused the greatest healththreatening nitrogen dioxide pollution in the city centre. It hopes the move will reduce levels by about 25 per cent.

LEZ restrictions would be enforced using number plate cameras and the council expects the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland to add conditions to operators’ licences.

Anna Richardson, the council’s sustainability and carbon reduction convener, said: “This is the start of the conversation and certainly not, by any means, a final proposal.”

Minister have said the first Scottish LEZ will be established next year, with all four of the largest cities covered by 2020.

Friends of the Earth air pollution campaigner Emilia Hanna said:“whilst the council’s ambition to have an LEZ is welcome, it’s very disappointing the plans would only restrict buses in the first instance. The Glasgow LEZ should apply to buses, lorries, and vans from the start and to include cars and taxis at a later stage.”

Paul White, spokesman for the Confederation of Passenger Transport, which represents bus operators, said:“introducing an LEZ without proper consideration of the impact on bus operators can lead to unintended consequences that gravely damage the wider bus service network.

“Operators unable to meet new vehicle standards may be forced to withdraw services operating within the LEZ or mitigate the cost of accelerated fleet renewal through the farebox.”

First Glasgow managing director Andrew Jarvis said:”we are deeply disappointed the proposals focus only on the one form of road transport capable of reducing congestion and improving air quality on the city’s roads, given that one bus can absorb the people from 75 cars.”