Businesses are being given grants to support with the transition. That should help with the financial aspects to some degree.
The solution is definitely not making driving even easier. You will induce demand and end up back at square one. That is good for no one in the medium to long term. This isn't a scheme pulled out of thin air, plenty of consideration and modelling has gone into it.
Really what is needed is proper investment from central government in public transport to increase frequencies and routes on the bus and Metro network, with more priority given to buses to increase their reliability and reduce journey times. People need legitimate alternatives to driving.
Disagree with the middle paragraph. I do think a short-term sticking plaster is needed and I don't think much thought has gone into this at all in the rush to comply with the government mandated policy. Someone driving through the central motorway at 8pm on a clear road is barely creating any carbon output but will pay the same as a car sat in queuing traffic on a Monday morning at 8am. Gosforth High Street is polluted but considered not in the CAZ. Not sure how this can be defended if its truly about clean air. If its a congestion charge then call it what it is and then let the public decide at local election time.
Agree with most of the last paragraph, albeit so long as the busses are not relying on ICE.
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