Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani announces £48 million for low emission buses but still no national bus strategy

At the UK Bus Summit, Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani, today (06/02/2019) announced the Department for Transport’s (DfT) plan to grant £48 million to operators and local authorities to help buy ultra-low emission buses and invest further in charging technology. While such an initiative is positive DfT has yet to develop a national bus strategy for the most used public transport mode.

Bus travel is the most used mode of public transport, and the benefits of effective bus services are wide ranging. Buses play a vital part in providing accessibility for everyone and, through their efficient use of space, in supporting the viability of high quality urban places said former CIHT President Andreas Markides at the launch of CIHT’s guidance for ‘Buses in Urban Developments’ last year.

Industry group Greener Journeys, also present at the summit, are calling for a national bus strategy which includes a plan for long term investment for bus travel in the UK. Such a strategy should increase the usage of buses and ensure an effective service in UK cities of what Greener Journeys calls the most neglected form of transport.