Buses are essential to everyday life in South Asia. They affect urban air quality both, directly by emitting air pollutants, and indirectly by reducing the congestion, and emissions caused by the many smaller vehicles which they replace. Buses must be not only clean, but also attractive and affordable in comparison with other modes of transport. Fuel and emission standards are a necessary policy element; but unless such standards are introduced in the context of a general policy framework that makes the provision of clean bus services, financially viable for the supplier, and affordable to the user, they may inadvertently destroy service, with adverse consequences, both socially and environmentally. That policy framework must include measures to give buses priority in the use of scarce road space, to mobilize competition to enhance efficiency, and to target subsidies effectively, to secure social and environmental objectives.
Document Type: Newsletter
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