UK Government Takes Steps To Support And Decarbonize Bus Sector.

The UK government has announced additional measures to support and decarbonize the country’s bus sector, which plays a critical role in connecting people, communities, and businesses. The new initiatives are part of the government’s commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

1. Bus service operators can now apply for a share of £150 million from the government’s Green Bus Fund to purchase zero-emission buses and associated infrastructure. This is part of the government’s £5 billion commitment to improve bus and cycle infrastructure across England.
2. The government will introduce new regulations that mandate the use of low-carbon fuels and the installation of on-board monitoring equipment on buses to reduce emissions.
3. To support the transition to zero-emission buses, the government has launched a consultation on the introduction of a new bus carbon intensity metric. This will measure the greenhouse gas emissions per passenger-kilometer traveled by buses, and allow operators to track their progress toward decarbonization.
4. The government will also introduce new guidance to help local authorities and bus operators transition to zero-emission buses, including advice on infrastructure, procurement, and financing.
5. The government will fund a new national bus center of excellence, which will provide expert advice, training, and support to bus operators and local authorities on how to improve services and reduce emissions.
6. The government will establish a new Bus Back Better board, which will oversee the delivery of the government’s bus strategy and provide a forum for stakeholders to share best practices and ideas.
7. The government will also provide £20 million to support the development of new bus priority measures, such as bus lanes, traffic signal priority, and priority junctions, to improve bus speeds and reliability.

The government’s initiatives are expected to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create new jobs in the bus manufacturing and maintenance sectors. They will also make bus travel more attractive and convenient for passengers, which will help to reduce congestion and support economic growth.

Source: Gov[Dot]UK