Buses must be central to a green recovery

David Hurdle Transport planning consultant Sheringham NR26

02 October 2020

Transport minister Baroness Vere visited York last month and saw the city’s new fleet of electric buses for park-and-ride services. The vehicles have been delivered by a partnership of FirstGroup, the city council, and the DfT. Buses must play a big part in the green recovery after Covid-19, says David Hurdle

I recall my first day at work. It was with London Transport in their bus operating department. My boss stressed to me “We are not in business to run buses. We’re in business to carry passengers.” It was a simple message that has stuck with me.

My views on bus operation have developed over the 50-plus years I have worked in or close to the industry. Take ‘integrated transport’. It can have different meanings but to me one simple example is buses and trains...