Budget Day 2010 – Reaction from Campaign for Better Transport
24 March 2010
Reacting to the Budget, Campaign for Better Transport welcomed the green infrastructure bank and spending on fixing potholes and greener buses, but said that the Budget had postponed tough choices on transport spending and taxation.
Director Stephen Joseph said:
“Spending on greener transport and fixing roads is welcome, but the real choices will come after the election. Green transport should be the cheapest option for commuters and travellers. But the danger remains that the next Government will continue to hike rail fares while abandoning planned fuel duty increases, thus making motoring cheaper. Fuel duty increases should be linked with reductions in rail fares and increased investment in public transport.
“We’re disappointed there was no action to tax business jets, which currently pay no fuel tax and in many cases pay no Air Passenger Duty either.
“The Budget ducked some of the tough transport spending choices. While high speed rail might be attractive, it’s a long term project. In the meantime, the short term spending pressures could hit everyday transport like local bus and rail services with service cuts and fares rises. The new infrastructure bank is welcome, but it must be used to fund green urban transport schemes such as trams, as well as electric cars.”
Notes to editors:
Support for a second round of greener bus funding was one of the calls made in Campaign for Better Transport’s manifesto: Improving Everyday Transport.
