Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of carbon-neutral buses in northern cities.

The Government is committed to promoting the bus sector as a key contributor to air quality and carbon reduction targets.

The Government published a suite of policies in A Better Deal for Bus Users, which includes a review of bus funding to ensure it supports the environment and improved passenger journeys. The Department is currently seeking expressions of interest from towns and cities interested in becoming an ‘All-Electric Bus Town’.

Further details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-the-all-electric-bus-town-scheme

The Prime Minister announced funding for at least 4,000 new zero emission buses as part of the £5 billion of new funding to boost bus and cycling links announced on 10 February. Further details on how that money will be allocated will be available in due course.

The Department is committed to supporting improved bus services in the North, including low carbon buses.