Figures revealed number of Calderdale buses meeting stringent green targets

New figures show that 53 per cent of buses in the District now meet Euro VI standards – the minimum requirement for buses to enter the upcoming Bradford and Leeds Clean Air Zones without paying a charge.

But transport bosses have raised concerns that the financial pressures facing bus companies could delay their plans to further upgrade their fleets to less polluting engines.

The issue was being discussed by members of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee.

The Committee heard that there had been a major rise in the proportion of buses in West Yorkshire upgraded to Euro VI compliant engines.

Buses are among the vehicles that would be charged £50 a day for entering the Clean Air Zone – although vehicles that meet Euro VI standards will be exempt.

A report to the committee said: “Working through the Bus Alliance, monitoring of the environmental standards of the West Yorkshire bus fleet is underway. 59 per cent of the West Yorkshire fleet meets the Euro VI emission standard required for compliance with Clean Air Zones.

“Leeds has the greatest percentage of Euro VI buses in operation with 76 per cent, a 20 per cent increase from 19/20 reflecting the investment in new buses as part of the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme.

“Bradford, Calderdale, and Wakefield have 59 per cent, 53 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, with Kirklees lowest percentages of Euro VI buses in operation at 38 per cent.

“All five districts have seen increases in the proportion of Euro VI buses in operation since 19/20 reflecting operator investment and the roll out of the £8 million retrofit scheme administered by the Combined Authority with funding from DEFRA which is almost complete upgrading approaching 480 buses.”

Explaining the difference in the levels of Euro VI buses between the different Districts under the Authority’s juristiction, Dave Pearson, Director of Transport Services said Government funding for bus upgrades had been directed towards the more polluted Districts of Leeds and Bradford.

Councillor Kim Groves, Chair of the Committee, asked if collapsing bus income due to Covid 19 could impact companies willingness to invest in pricey green upgrades. Mr Pearson said: “Currently the financial position around the bus industry generally could prevent bus companies from investing in new vehicles.”