The authority has agreed to apply for a legal limit on emissions as part of joint plans with Oxford City Council for a Low Emissions Zone (LEZ).

Both councils and bus operators are committed to reducing levels of nitrogen dioxide in city centre streets – much of which is caused by buses and coaches.

The ruling will mean all buses operating within the zone will have to meet the highest ‘Euro V’ standards for low emissions by January 2014, with some exemptions (given below).

Buses which do not currently meet the required standard would have to be replaced or refitted with an appropriate exhaust treatment device.

Bus engines will also have to be switched off at bus stops when stationary for more than one minute when the LEZ comes into force.

Background

Since 2009 the city’s major bus operators have made huge investments in low emission buses, including diesel-electric hybrid buses on many routes.

While this voluntary effort has achieved an estimated 60 per cent reduction in emissions, many older and more polluting vehicles remain in use.  There is also no current legal barrier for operators to start running new services using less clean buses.

The city council is looking into applying the same emissions standards for taxis and licensed private hire vehicles, since these vehicles also have access to the most traffic-restricted streets and use of bus lanes.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Rodney Rose said: “Oxford is a beautiful city and we want the centre to be as attractive as possible for people to walk around and enjoy it.

“Huge steps have already been taken to improve the air quality but there is still more that can be done. We are very pleased to be working alongside the city council and bus operators as we take these plans forward.”

Tackling pollution levels

Councillor John Tanner, Board Member for Cleaner, Greener Oxford, at Oxford City Council, added: “This is another step in the campaign to push pollution levels in Oxford well below the safe minimum set by Europe.

“I’m thrilled that the City and County are working hand in hand to ban nearly all polluting buses from our city by January 2014. This Traffic regulation will mean Oxford residents and visitors can breathe safely. Green bus companies will not be able to be undercut by polluting rivals.”

Exemptions

Buses already operating in Oxford with Euro IV standard engines would be allowed to operate within the LEZ until 31 December 2015, as they already perform very well on a  range of emissions.  These will have to be replaced by Euro V buses by 1 January 2016. 

A permanent exemption is proposed for very low frequency bus services, along with a temporary exemption for commercial services withdrawn very close to the compliance date.