Ellie Ames 28 June 2023

Thousands more green buses needed to reach net zero

Thousands more green buses needed to reach net zero image
Image: LD Media UK / Shutterstock.com.

More than 5,800 extra green buses are needed in England by 2030 to reach net zero and support the levelling up agenda, according to a new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

The Government has committed to replacing existing diesel buses across the UK with 4,000 new green buses.

However, as of May 2023, despite thousands of buses being nominally ordered or funded, only 87 zero emission buses were in use outside London.

In both its National Bus Strategy and Levelling Up White Paper, the government said that it was committed to ensuring that bus services across the UK were ‘significantly closer to the standards of London’.

The IPPR has said that, in London, twice as many bus trips are taken per person than in any other metropolitan area in England, and that there is a ‘deep-rooted metropolitan unfairness’.

Joshua Emden, senior research fellow at IPPR, said: ‘The government’s National Bus Strategy committed to level up bus services across England and raise them to the same standard as London.

‘Our analysis shows how a modest investment from government would deliver on these promises, decarbonise current and future bus fleets and have a transformative impact on local bus connectivity.’

The IPPR has called for the government to phase out the sale of new diesel buses by 2030.

The think tank has also asked the government to invest £2.5 billion by extending the funding of Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) between 2023-2030.

If this story was of interest, then check out, 'Delivering on the local net zero promise'.

Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Community Support Worker

Essex County Council
£25395.0000 - £32131.0000 per annum
The Role As a Community Support Worker, your role will include undertaking Assessments and Reviews in line with our Statutory duties under the Care England, Essex, Clacton-On-Sea
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Technician - Maintenance

Essex County Council
£31001.0000 - £36471.0000 per annum
Essex Highways is responsible for managing and maintaining one of the largest highway networks in the country
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Repairs Co-Ordinator

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Be the heart of our community - help us keep homes safe, warm and well-maintained.At the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), we believe th England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Museums Operations Manager

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band F, SCP26 - 31 (£36,124 - £40,476) per annum
Sandwell Museums is looking for an experienced and motivated Operations Manager Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Regulation and Compliance Assistant - WMF2056e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£31,067 - £31,586 pro rata
This is an exciting opportunity for you to join the Licensing Team within Westmorland and Furness Council Penrith, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council
Linkedin Banner