ABD: End Buses' 'Protected Status' on Pollution
Drivers lobby group Alliance of British Drivers is calling for tougher action on the long standing issue of disproportionately high emissions from buses.
1
Evidence from Transport for London (TfL) contained within the latest Environmental Audit Report found that buses constituted 0.2% of vehicles but emit 25% of NOx
2
Legislating authorities have had an ongoing opportunity to stipulate minimum emissions standards for buses but have failed to do so
3. However, recommendations from the report to Local Authorities and bus providers are shockingly weak and inadequate, effectively a 'renewal of bus provider's licence to pollute'.
4
The ABD are calling for:
- Comparable per km emissions figures to cars to be published for buses and taxis.
- The compulsory fitting of exhaust filters to all buses (to be funded by bus companies rather than the tax payer)
- An end to congestion-creating urban transport policies that exacerbate emissions.
ABD spokesman Nigel Humphries said:
“For almost two decades, Local Authorities have used "Smart Travel" programs to encourage people to use buses and boost their revenues from parking charges 5, as well as attempts to implement work place parking and congestion charges all aimed at car drivers. Effectively they have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.”
He continued
‘Bus services receive £2.3Bn per annum in subsidies 6, are being out performed by most new cars in terms of Co2 per passenger 7 and require disproportionate amounts of road space including bus lanes needed to help them run on schedule. This creates unnecessary congestion and extra emissions from other traffic. Bus providers have exploited this "sustainable transport" misnomer to put profits before people and do the bare minimum to reduce their bus emissions 8.’
If we are serious about reducing air pollution then tackling emissions from heavy diesels has to be the priority. The ABD believes however that political lobby groups and local authorities will continue to scapegoat the car driver to protect vested interests and protect revenue streams.
Unfiltered large capacity Diesel engines used by buses and HGV's when under load (eg pulling away from a standstill) are also the source of the 3-NBA (3-NitroBenzAnthrone)/ 1,2 DNP (1,2-DiNitroPyrene). These highly carcinogenic substances are found in & on PM10s & PM2.5s that these vehicles disproportionately emit.