Whilst we appreciate the commitment government’s commitment to decarbonising transport, unfortunately the pledge ignores key bus benefits.
The transition to Zero Emissions Buses (ZEB’s), mentioned 21 times in the pledge, is noble goal for decarbonising bus transport, but it is time to think bigger.
A comprehensively reformed bus network, with fast, frequent and reliable buses, which gets passengers where they need to go, in the time that they have, is the key to shifting high emissions private vehicle trips onto the public transport network.
Zero Emissions Buses will make bus trips more comfortable, but an indirect, infrequent and time-wasting network run with zero emissions buses, is still an indirect, infrequent and time-wasting network.
The pledge even acknowledges this concept but only in terms of already funded upgrades and then states that “This package also continues delivering buses”, as if continuing delivering the status quo is a meaningful way to decarbonise transport.
It is time for the government to embrace bus reform as a key strategy for decarbonising transport.