Plans by Labour to slap a £50-a-day charge on buses using central Newcastle could result in fewer services in Gateshead. And this in turn could lead to more cars on local roads, higher fares, more congestion and more pollution, warn local Liberal Democrats.
The bus tax is part of revised plans put forward by Labour-run Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside Councils after initial proposals earlier this year to charge nearly every vehicle to drive across bridges over the Tyne to tackle air pollution were widely slammed as unworkable.
The new plans being put out to consultation include charging older buses £50 a day to drive in central Newcastle, though it would not apply to new, clean buses. Lorries and vans will also have to pay. Charging cars to enter central Newcastle is not proposed yet, but there will be an option to do so in the future.
Lib Dem Councillor for Low Fell, Daniel Duggan, said "The proposal to charge buses could lead to fewer services for residents. Labour say they want more people using buses, but this will have the opposite effect.”
Lib Dem Councillor Ron Beadle said “These plans will lead to higher fares and more people travelling by car. This will mean more, not less, congestion".
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