Public Transport: Expansion and Electrification

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb Excerpts

Monday 19th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

If it is not jumping on the bus bandwagon, I would like to join in both the noble Lord’s and my noble friend Lord Hendy’s congratulations on Harrogate’s achievement. We have made some amazing progress when it comes to zero-emission buses: more than 50% of new buses registered last year were zero-emission—that is a record 1,600. I am very pleased to tell the House that more than 60% of buses procured via the ZEBRA process were procured and made by UK-based manufacturers. Zero-emission buses are not just good for decarbonising transport and providing better, more reliable bus services; they are good for growth in this country, which we need to see.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

My Lords, the Minister made some excellent points earlier in response to the Opposition’s query about the price of electricity. It is linked to gas prices. Does the Minister know whether the Government have any plans to delink it so that we get the true price of renewable energy?

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I am afraid that I am not aware of any particular plans—this strays a little outside my briefing. It is really important that we enable more green growth in transport to ensure that people have access to the sorts of transport levels that those of us who live in the capital enjoy. What we require and want, to paraphrase my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport, is brilliantly boring public transport, so that where you live does not determine what you can achieve in life.