Stagecoach CEO - buses after coronavirus
May 10, 2020 10:37:15 GMT
Hassaan, ThinLizzy, and 3 more like this
Post by wirewiper on May 10, 2020 10:37:15 GMT
I am giving this its own thread because it is a wider issue than just London, and it could generate considerable debate in its own right.
The Chief Executive of Britain's largest bus and coach operator, Stagecoach, has called for a joint strategy between bus operators and the Government, to secure the immediate and long-term futures of the industry after covid-19.
Martin Griffiths has outlines a six-point plan, saying that sustainable public transport is vital for the future. He sees the tragedy of covid-19 as a "defining moment" that will lead to a transformed society.
His six-point strategy calls for:
- A joint operational and investment plan developed by industry and government to ensure a sustainable transition of Britain’s bus networks from the emergency levels of lockdown to more comprehensive links which support the country’s recovery. Measures needed include steps to rebuild confidence in mass transit, a move away from peak-time commuting to spread demand, and investment in transitional support for transport operators as passenger numbers take time to grow.
- Radical, permanent changes by national and local government to infrastructure and planning. Road and street space should be prioritised for walking, cycling and high capacity public transport over private cars, with a fundamental reallocation of limited space and steps to encourage first and last mile connections.
- Public mobility hubs rather than private car parking spaces should be requirements for planning new housing developments, offering public transport connectivity, electric charging points and cycling.
- Wide-ranging measures to deliver on the government's levelling up agenda for regions outside London, with many hit hard by the economic shock of Covid-19. This includes new place strategies for towns and cities to rethink high streets, promote local spending and create new attractions, as well as leveraging public transport capacity to bring shoppers and visitors to regions on a scale that will not damage the environment.
- Lifestyle changes, particularly around travel, as well as a focus on technology to address the damaging impact of transport emissions. Pollution, already responsible for asthma and lung disease, is now being linked as a contributor to Covid-19 deaths.
Many single-user car trips - the transport equivalent of disposable plastic bags - should be replaced by public transport in urban locations.
- A "grown-up conversation" to re-examine fiscal policy as the government considers how to pay for the coronavirus pandemic and the necessary actions the country has taken.
This would include a complete transformation in how transport journeys are taxed.
A move to a system where the polluter pays and sustainable behaviours and use of buses, trams and trains, as well as active travel, are rewarded to make these modes more affordable and accessible to all. Targeted investment in decarbonisation, including sustainable transport and infrastructure, to help restart the economy and put Britain at the forefront of the green revolution and speed up recovery.
Maximising the potential of Britain's world class and world-leading bus manufacturing sector by accelerating government investment in electric bus fleets will deliver a cleaner environment, improved health and cement Britain's position as a clean-tech leader.
Martin Griffiths said: "Covid-19 has taken a terrible toll on many people's lives across the UK and overseas. But among all the human tragedy, the pandemic has given us a window on what could be a positive future world - one with dramatically fewer cars on our roads, safer streets, cleaner air and less damage to our environment.
"As government examines how to take Britain out of lockdown, we must make Covid-19 a defining moment to deliver fundamental changes in how we manage mobility and put sustainability at the heart of decision-making.
Public transport - particularly our regional bus networks - and active travel must be central to a transformed approach by all governments.
"The lockdown has shown how much the country is missing human contact.
Buses provide that essential daily social link, helping combat loneliness and hidden mental health challenges. While some have switched to home working during Covid-19, for many that is not possible. Buses are delivering vital emergency links for key workers and they are as critical to our economy in normal times, linking everything from retail centres to manufacturing facilities. Leisure too is a shared experience that depends on extensive public transport connections.
"There is no reason why we all cannot return to safely using Britain's most popular and important public transport mode. Transitional support is an investment that will pay back many times over in helping our citizens, communities, economies and planet recover."
Mr Griffiths added: "Major events can lead to major change. The 9/11 attacks signalled a new approach to security and global co-operation against terrorism.
We need to make Covid-19 the game-changer for sustainable transport and out of tragedy create hope.
By grasping this opportunity and working together, we can create a real legacy to honour the key workers that have selflessly given their lives in the fight against coronavirus."
Source: www.focustransport.org/
The Chief Executive of Britain's largest bus and coach operator, Stagecoach, has called for a joint strategy between bus operators and the Government, to secure the immediate and long-term futures of the industry after covid-19.
Martin Griffiths has outlines a six-point plan, saying that sustainable public transport is vital for the future. He sees the tragedy of covid-19 as a "defining moment" that will lead to a transformed society.
His six-point strategy calls for:
- A joint operational and investment plan developed by industry and government to ensure a sustainable transition of Britain’s bus networks from the emergency levels of lockdown to more comprehensive links which support the country’s recovery. Measures needed include steps to rebuild confidence in mass transit, a move away from peak-time commuting to spread demand, and investment in transitional support for transport operators as passenger numbers take time to grow.
- Radical, permanent changes by national and local government to infrastructure and planning. Road and street space should be prioritised for walking, cycling and high capacity public transport over private cars, with a fundamental reallocation of limited space and steps to encourage first and last mile connections.
- Public mobility hubs rather than private car parking spaces should be requirements for planning new housing developments, offering public transport connectivity, electric charging points and cycling.
- Wide-ranging measures to deliver on the government's levelling up agenda for regions outside London, with many hit hard by the economic shock of Covid-19. This includes new place strategies for towns and cities to rethink high streets, promote local spending and create new attractions, as well as leveraging public transport capacity to bring shoppers and visitors to regions on a scale that will not damage the environment.
- Lifestyle changes, particularly around travel, as well as a focus on technology to address the damaging impact of transport emissions. Pollution, already responsible for asthma and lung disease, is now being linked as a contributor to Covid-19 deaths.
Many single-user car trips - the transport equivalent of disposable plastic bags - should be replaced by public transport in urban locations.
- A "grown-up conversation" to re-examine fiscal policy as the government considers how to pay for the coronavirus pandemic and the necessary actions the country has taken.
This would include a complete transformation in how transport journeys are taxed.
A move to a system where the polluter pays and sustainable behaviours and use of buses, trams and trains, as well as active travel, are rewarded to make these modes more affordable and accessible to all. Targeted investment in decarbonisation, including sustainable transport and infrastructure, to help restart the economy and put Britain at the forefront of the green revolution and speed up recovery.
Maximising the potential of Britain's world class and world-leading bus manufacturing sector by accelerating government investment in electric bus fleets will deliver a cleaner environment, improved health and cement Britain's position as a clean-tech leader.
Martin Griffiths said: "Covid-19 has taken a terrible toll on many people's lives across the UK and overseas. But among all the human tragedy, the pandemic has given us a window on what could be a positive future world - one with dramatically fewer cars on our roads, safer streets, cleaner air and less damage to our environment.
"As government examines how to take Britain out of lockdown, we must make Covid-19 a defining moment to deliver fundamental changes in how we manage mobility and put sustainability at the heart of decision-making.
Public transport - particularly our regional bus networks - and active travel must be central to a transformed approach by all governments.
"The lockdown has shown how much the country is missing human contact.
Buses provide that essential daily social link, helping combat loneliness and hidden mental health challenges. While some have switched to home working during Covid-19, for many that is not possible. Buses are delivering vital emergency links for key workers and they are as critical to our economy in normal times, linking everything from retail centres to manufacturing facilities. Leisure too is a shared experience that depends on extensive public transport connections.
"There is no reason why we all cannot return to safely using Britain's most popular and important public transport mode. Transitional support is an investment that will pay back many times over in helping our citizens, communities, economies and planet recover."
Mr Griffiths added: "Major events can lead to major change. The 9/11 attacks signalled a new approach to security and global co-operation against terrorism.
We need to make Covid-19 the game-changer for sustainable transport and out of tragedy create hope.
By grasping this opportunity and working together, we can create a real legacy to honour the key workers that have selflessly given their lives in the fight against coronavirus."
Source: www.focustransport.org/
