Preamble :-
If Darlington is to
achieve the ambitions of its Climate Change Action Plan and
meaningfully contribute to the national zero net carbon emissions
target, then improving the relative attractiveness of local bus
services as a transport option is one of the quickest, cheapest and
most effective way to improve the trajectory of emissions from
transport. This applies both over the
shorter-term in enabling modal shift away from higher
emissions-per-head forms of transport, as well as over the
long-term as fleets are electrified.
Bus services, and “modal shift” (to lower emission forms of transport) more generally, is critical for achieving our net zero targets and levelling up our area.
England’s urban bus networks provide a net economic benefit of £2.5 billion, half of which reflects benefits to bus users including employment and amenities, and half of which benefits non-users, related to reductions in congestion and pollution. With the soaring cost of living, well-funded, accessible and regular bus services are critical to assisting our residents during this time.
Council Resolves to :-
1.
Recognise
the importance of a properly funded public transport system in
solving the climate emergency.
2.
Recognise
the importance of a properly funded public transport system in
delivering levelling up for Darlington.
3. Ask the responsible Cabinet Member to consult with the Transport and Capital Projects team to agree a figure which is ring-fenced specifically for the support of local bus services and report to Council on the outcome no later than January 2023.
4. Ask the responsible Cabinet Member to write to the Department for Transport to ask for further support for bus services.
Minutes:
The following Motion was moved by Councillor Snedker, and seconded by Councillor Holroyd:
If Darlington is to achieve the ambitions of its Climate Change Action Plan and meaningfully contribute to the national zero net carbon emissions target, then improving the relative attractiveness of local bus services as a transport option is one of the quickest, cheapest and most effective way to improve the trajectory of emissions from transport. This applies both over the shorter-term in enabling modal shift away from higher emissions-per-head forms of transport, as well as over the long-term as fleets are electrified.
Bus services, and “modal shift” (to lower emission forms of transport) more generally, is critical for achieving our net zero targets and levelling up our area.
England’s urban bus networks provide a net economic benefit of £2.5 billion, half of which reflects benefits to bus users including employment and amenities, and half of which benefits non-users, related to reductions in congestion and pollution. With the soaring cost of living, well-funded, accessible and regular bus services are critical to assisting our residents during this time.
Council Resolves to :-
1. Recognise the importance of a properly funded public transport system in solving the climate emergency.
2. Recognise the importance of a properly funded public transport system in delivering levelling up for Darlington.
3. Ask the responsible Cabinet Member to consult with the Transport and Capital Projects team to agree a figure which is ring-fenced specifically for the support of local bus services and report to Council on the outcome no later than January 2023.
4. Ask the responsible Cabinet Member to write to the Department for Transport to ask for further support for bus services.
The Motion was Lost.