The UK government has unveiled an £86 million initiative aimed at enhancing air quality in Greater Manchester, with a significant focus on cleaner public transportation. Of the total funding, £51.1 million is allocated to procure 117 new buses, including 40 zero-emission models and 77 compliant with Euro VI standards, alongside the necessary charging infrastructure for electric buses.
The plan also dedicates £8 million to aid taxi operators in transitioning to cleaner vehicles, while £5 million will address local traffic management. An additional £21.9 million is reserved for administration, delivery, and monitoring costs, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the scheme.
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The initiative builds on Greater Manchester’s efforts to develop sustainable transit solutions, including the Bee Network, launched in September 2023 with electric buses servicing Wigan and Bolton.
Minister for the Future of Roads Lilian Greenwood emphasized the program’s potential to reduce transport emissions without resorting to motorist charges, stating, “Manchester will be able to reduce pollution from transport without having to charge motorists, and new, cleaner buses will help Mancunians get around easily while still bringing down emissions across the city.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham highlighted the success of the Bee Network as evidence of the city’s capability to deliver impactful environmental measures. “The Bee Network is cleaning up our air and keeping the cost of travel as low as possible. Its success is allowing us to remove a big weight of worry off the shoulders of people who need to drive as part of their job,” Burnham noted.
The investment aligns with the UK’s legal obligations to achieve nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels averaging no more than 40 micrograms per cubic meter annually.
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Local councils are tasked with implementing effective measures, supported by government collaboration to address NO2 pollution swiftly and improve environmental outcomes for residents.