Stagecoach calls for public transport funding

Bus operator Stagecoach has called for ‘tougher action’ from government to tackle air pollution, including stricter tax regimes for polluting vehicles.

The company, which held an annual ‘Green Week’ sustainability drive last week (5-9 June) has also called upon other public transport operators to continue to invest in ‘cleaner’ vehicle technologies, in a bid to address concerns over air pollution.

Coach and bus operator Stagecoach has called for action to tackle air pollution

Stagecoach has claimed that research has shown that Britain’s roads are the “most congested” in Europe, and has added that increased investment in public transport can help to address these issues.

Stagecoach Group chief executive Martin Griffiths said: “Public transport has a crucial role to play in helping Britain beat the scourge of traffic congestion, pollution and poor air quality. Our cities are clogged with cars and people are literally dying as a result and we urgently need our politicians to take tough action on congestion to free up road space and let buses flourish.

“Our commitment to our environmental responsibility is central to our business and we are continuing to take steps to reduce our carbon footprint as well as working more widely with our partners to protect our environment.”

Measures

The company has called for a host of measures to tackle air pollution, including:

• continued investment by public transport operators in cleaner vehicle technologies;
• tougher tax regimes and use of clean air zones to target vehicles and journeys which contribute most to pollution on a per-passenger basis;
• focused taxpayer support where it will deliver the best value environmental benefit;
• clearer promotion of switching from cars to public transport as the most effective route to tackling the twin scourges of urban congestion and air pollution;
• targeted public investment in bus priority measures and better transport interchanges.

During the company’s ‘Green Week’ last week, the company held a series of events aimed at raising awareness of environmental issues among its staff and passengers including green initiatives and competitions held in partnership with schools across the country, roadshows, employee and customer competitions, social media initiatives, interactive online activities and participation in local community events by Stagecoach employees.