Warning schools will pay clean air zone costs
Coach companies have warned the clean air zone charges they face when taking pupils into Birmingham city centre for trips will need to be “passed” to schools.
James Clarke, who co-owns Northfield-based Clarkes Travel with wife Sarah Clarke, has a non-compliant coach meaning it will be subject to a £50 charge per day to enter the city centre.
But a considerable part of his business involves taking school pupils to sites in the city including the library, theatres and the International Convention Centre (ICC).
The extra £50 cost “cannot be absorbed” by the company following a year of poor trade due to Covid, Mr Clarke said – meaning the added amount will need to be passed to school clients.
He said: “The council are pushing me towards a £15,000 grant to apply for towards a new Euro 6 [a coach with emissions meeting CAZ requirements].”
But he said this was not “viable coming out of the pandemic” as the business would still need to lay out at least £65,000 on top for the new vehicle.
He said: “I am going to have to stop worrying about it. We are going to have to carry on and put the cost up but it’s just going to damage companies. Not just our industry but other industries in the city.”
John Molnar, director of Dudley-based JC Coaches Ltd, said the business also takes school pupils into the city centre, as well as private trips including to nightclubs.
Nightclub trips would mean the company would be charged twice if they picked up revellers after 12 midnight.
He said: “I have got six vehicles and the CAZ is going to cost me an extra £10,000 per year.”
He said the company “can’t not” pass the extra costs on to clients including schools – as the alternative is to close down.
A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “We’re encouraging everyone to check whether or not they will need to pay the daily fee.
“Around three out of four people should not need to pay but the way to check is by visiting www.brumbreathes.co.uk to use the online vehicle checker.
“The council has also been sharing information about the zone with residents, businesses and other organisations in the city. But some individuals and organisations will require additional time to prepare.
“This is why we have introduced a range of exemptions and financial incentives, so that extra support is in place.”
The CAZ is being introduced to tackle poor air quality in the city centre, which the council says is responsible for 900 deaths per year.
The CAZ area covers all the roads within the A4540 Middleway but not the ring road itself. It is due to be introduced on June 1.
