Minister sees electric bus fleet in action
13 Jun 2014 11:44 AM
Nottingham visit
highlights green buses and work on trams.
Transport Minister Baroness
Kramer was in Nottingham yesterday, Thursday 12 June 2014, to see how
£5.5 million of government funding has been used to make the city’s
bus fleet cleaner and more efficient.
Nottingham City Council is using
the money from the Department for Transport’s Green Bus
Fund to replace its entire fleet with ultra low carbon electric
buses.
Baroness Kramer took a ride on
one of the new buses to see for herself how they are already benefiting the
city.
Baroness Kramer
said:
There are great benefits to
transforming bus travel in this way – pleasant journeys for passengers,
improved air quality in our towns and cities and a boost for the local economy
thanks to reduced congestion.
By committing to make all of its
buses electric, Nottingham City Council is leading the way and is setting a
great example for others to follow.
Ultra low emission
vehicles (ULEVs) are a vital part of government plans for a modern
transport system. The UK is investing almost £1 billion into this
important sector and has one of the most comprehensive, and innovative, support
packages for the transition to ULEVs anywhere around the
world.ULEVs not only deliver clear environmental benefits but by
positioning the UK at the front of this rapidly growing sector government
policy is also driving economic growth.
Home to one of the biggest tram
networks in the UK, Nottingham also played host to the ninth annual Light Rail
Conference.
Speaking at the event, Baroness
Kramer highlighted the benefits which trams are bringing to British cities and
outlined the support provided by the Department for Transport.
Baroness Kramer
said:
Light rail has a long and
impressive history and a bright and progressive future. It has proved itself an
effective and efficient means of taking large numbers of passengers directly
into, and around, the heart of a city. It is also among the greenest and
cleanest forms of transport - no emissions, very little noise and, with the
right scheme in the right place, the potential to encourage people out of their
cars and on to public transport.
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