Agenda item

The Corporate Director of Economy & Place to present a report which sets out options and timescales for the improvement of emissions standards of vehicles operating on the local bus network.

Resolved:  (i)      That the content of the report be noted.

(ii)      That the introduction of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) for vehicles operating local bus services from January 2020, by making a request to the Traffic Commissioner pursuant to section 7(1) of the Transport Act 1985 that he exercise his powers under that section to impose traffic regulation conditions designed to reduce air pollution, be supported.

(iii)     That a twelve month ‘sunset’ period be permitted from January 2020, when vehicles not meeting the CAZ requirement may continue to be operated if evidence can be submitted by an operator that an order for retro-fitting of an existing vehicle, or procurement of a replacement Euro VI (or better) vehicle has been placed but not yet delivered.

(iv)    That the potential for grant funding to offset the cost be noted and that any amendment to the council contribution will be notified in future reports to Executive.

(v)     That the procurement of contracted bus services with Euro VI minimum emission standard in line with the service levels offered on the existing tendered bus network be approved, with the results of the procurement exercise to be considered at a future Executive meeting following receipt of tenders.

(Note: a summary of the routes to be re-tendered is included at Annex 4 to the report).

(vi)    That the progress made towards tackling anti-idling measures and proposals for addressing bus idling from January 2019 (including that detailed in Annex 5 to the report) be recognised.

Reason:     To improve air quality in York through the acceleration of improvements to bus emissions levels.

[See also under Part B]

The Assistant Director for Planning & Public Protectionpresented a report which set out options and timescales for improvement of the emissions standards of vehicles operating on the local bus network.

On 25 January 2018, Executive had approved the introduction of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in 2020 within and including the inner ring road, subject to consultation with local bus operators and the public.  A graduated approach was proposed, to give operators time to plan and upgrade vehicles.  Results of the consultation carried out in summer 2018, including responses to the questionnaire attached at Annex 2 to the report, were set out in paragraphs 12 to 31 and in Annex 3, with officer comments in paragraphs 32-41.

The following options were considered, as detailed in paragraphs 42-68:

Option 1 – introduce the CAZ in January 2020, in line with Annex 1, subject to Council approving a funding allocation of £1,640,000. 

Option 2 – work in partnership with operators to introduce cleaner buses over the next 2 years, implementing a CAZ in January 2021.

Option 3 – progress the introduction of cleaner buses as in Option 2, introducing the CAZ in 2022 only if air quality objectives were still being exceeded.

Option 4 – introduce the CAZ over a longer period to reflect the timescales in which operators could upgrade their fleets without the need for additional subsidy.

Option 1 was recommended, on the grounds that it was supported by 90% of respondents to consultation and would provide the quickest route for delivery of the CAZ and reduced emissions.

In response to Members’ questions and comments made under Public Participation, officers confirmed that:

·        they would be working with other local authorities to ensure that state aid requirements were met;

·        a report on anti-idling measures covering all vehicles would be taken to the Joint Decision Session of the Executive Member for Environment and the Executive Member for Transport & Planning on 7 February.

Resolved:  (i)      That the content of the report be noted.

(ii)      That the introduction of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) for vehicles operating local bus services from January 2020, by making a request to the Traffic Commissioner pursuant to section 7(1) of the Transport Act 1985 that he exercise his powers under that section to impose traffic regulation conditions designed to reduce air pollution, be supported.

(iii)     That a twelve month ‘sunset’ period be permitted from January 2020, when vehicles not meeting the CAZ requirement may continue to be operated if evidence can be submitted by an operator that an order for retro-fitting of an existing vehicle, or procurement of a replacement Euro VI (or better) vehicle has been placed but not yet delivered.

(iv)    That the potential for grant funding to offset the cost be noted and that any amendment to the council contribution will be notified in future reports to Executive.

(v)     That the procurement of contracted bus services with Euro VI minimum emission standard in line with the service levels offered on the existing tendered bus network be approved, with the results of the procurement exercise to be considered at a future Executive meeting following receipt of tenders.

(Note: a summary of the routes to be re-tendered is included at Annex 4 to the report).

(vi)    That the progress made towards tackling anti-idling measures and proposals for addressing bus idling from January 2019 (including that detailed in Annex 5 to the report) be recognised.

Reason:     To improve air quality in York through the acceleration of improvements to bus emissions levels.