City of York Council plans to invest £1.6m in order to reduce the exhaust emissions from local bus services.
The investment will create a new Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in York by 2020 in an effort to improve the city’s air quality.
The council carried out a consultation on the proposals last year, which over 250 residents and businesses responded to, including bus operators.
‘Investing £1.6m will go a great way to tackling this issue, as well as introducing more electric Park & Ride buses across the network in 2019,’ said Cllr Andrew Waller, executive member for the environment at City of York Council.
‘We understand the vital role that the city’s local bus services play in bringing people into York to work, shop and make use of key services.
‘Targeting the buses which most frequently pass through the city centre will have the greatest impact on reducing harmful pollutants by insisting on the use of electric or Euro VI diesel technology.’
Cllr Peter Dew, executive member for transport, commented: ‘The council has looked at many ways to improve air quality in the city centre, so we are delighted to be able to earmark £1.6m into working with bus operators to apply the proposed Clean Air Zone to local bus services.’
