Transport for Greater Manchester has revealed that drivers in Greater Manchester will not face additional charges as the area opts against a new Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in favour of introducing a new fleet of zero-emission buses.
Greater Manchester will introduce 117 new lower and zero-emission buses in a £86m scheme to help clean up the region’s air.
While local authorities in other areas have found that a CAZ is the best route to cutting nitrogen dioxide pollution, proposals for a manchester CAZ faced local opposition and the scheme was shelved in 2022.
Taxi drivers in particular opposed the scheme as they were worried the CAZ< through enforcement of more efficient vehicles or fines for older models, would add high, unfair costs to their operations and potentially drive many out of business.
Instead of a CAZ, the £86m scheme will include:
- £51.1m towards bus investment, including 40 zero emission buses, 77 Euro VI standard buses and charging infrastructure
- £5m for local traffic management measures
- £8 million to support moving Greater Manchester’s taxi fleet to cleaner vehicles
- Up to £21.9m for administration, delivery, monitoring and other associated costs
Local leaders have also been told by the UK government that they can review and cancel contracts relating to the CAZ, such as proposed signs and cameras.
Air quality minister Emma Hardy said: “Air pollution is damaging people’s health and the environment. Its impacts are felt more by low-income communities, making health and social inequalities worse.
“Local authorities know their communities well and so they need to develop plans that are most effective for their local area, and I am pleased that Greater Manchester has found a clear way to reduce emissions without the need to charge motorists.
“I look forward to working with the teams across Greater Manchester as they put this important plan in place. Government will continue to take the action needed to ensure everyone has safe air to breathe across the nation.”
Achievements and innovations in sustainable transport will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!