CBT produces alternative budget for transport

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The Campaign for Better Transport has published an Alternative Transport Budget, a set of alternative proposals for transport taxation and spending policy to promote sustainable transport, improve air quality, and reduce emissions.

https://giannifava.org/et8lyy8

https://wasmorg.com/2024/03/07/zhq3t63pc1 The budget has been released ahead of the autumn budget, which the Chancellor will deliver on November 22.

https://ncmm.org/40mjrsc6ams Stephen Joseph, Chief Executive, Campaign for Better Transport, said: “The Budget offers a chance to address the problems underlying the UK’s transport system: congestion, pollution and social exclusion from over-dependence on road and air transport.

“We’ve set out here some proposals for taxation and spending which can take the country in the right direction.”

The report’s recommendations include:

  • Establish a Network Development Fund to develop and implement proposals for new and reopened lines and stations;
  • Improved funding for bus services including a connectivity fund to support socially necessary services and a bus bonus scheme for commuters;
  • Tackle complex and ever-increasing rail fares with a freeze in 2018 and simpler fares with flexible tickets for part-time workers;
  • Expand the scope of the Office of Low Emission Vehicles grants to include e-bikes and e-cargo bikes;
  • Give priority to investing in management and maintenance of existing roads and to improving local transport;
  • Establish a Clean Air Fund with significant resources to pay for the measures needed to cut air pollution to levels that don’t harm human health;
  • Use the National Road Fund to fix the backlog of road repairs that are needed, especially on local roads;
  • Introduce a surcharge for diesel vehicles in the short-term to discourage the purchase of diesel cars and to contribute to the promised Clean Air Fund;
  • Change the current time-based Road User Levy on heavy goods vehicles with a distance-based charge; and
  • Look at replacing Air Passenger Duty with a Frequent Flyer Levy.