Sustainable Transport and the Environment Guide - Unite the Union

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Taxi operations GGE is one of the lowest in comparison to other modes of transport. However in the past 17 years taxi operations GGE have increased by 54.1% in the UK, where as the whole transport sector has increased at a slower 48%. This is a little disappointing when we know for example in London that the 21,000 strong black taxi fleets exhaust omissions have to be a lot cleaner then other modes of public transport due to stipulations by Transport for London’s Public Carriage Office. So perhaps mini cabs are causing a disproportionate increase in GGE levels in this area and need to be regulated to the same standards as black taxis and not just in London but in the whole of the UK? London in particular has the worst air quality in the UK and air pollution has a major impact on health and quality of life. The former Mayor Ken Livingstone’s ‘Taxi Emissions Strategy’ was launched in December 2004 and aimed to reduce the emissions from London’s taxis by up to 37 per cent by July 2008. 72 The following major steps have now been taken:- Since October 2002 any new taxi licensed in London for the first time has had to be Euro 3 standard. From July 1st 2006 all taxis that are of a pre-Euro emissions standard will be required to meet Euro 3 standards. As of January 1st 2007 all taxis that are of a Euro 1 emissions standard will be required to meet Euro 3 standards. As of January 1st 2008 all taxis that are of a Euro 2 emissions standard will be required to meet Euro 3 standards. 73 Taxi operations are a vital cog in any integrated sustainable transport system because they help fill the gaps where direct connections cannot be made. This encourages the public to use taxis along with other forms of public transport to complete a journey rather then drive themselves, which in turn helps to create less traffic and therefore less GGE. Sure further improvements can be made to taxi operations GGE levels as they can to all other forms of transport and perhaps the London black taxi blueprint is one that other taxis networks around the whole of the UK can take on board to achieve this. 5.3 Policy Options Drivers and Transport Workers Working time and Timetabling - The health and safety of drivers and their passengers must be of paramount importance. In order to achieve this, the working week must be reduced with no detriment to pay and conditions. In particular, UK Domestic Driving Hours need to encompass a minimum standard of no more than four-and-a-half hour’s maximum driving in a single spell, eight hours a day maximum driving, a maximum ten-hour a day total duty and a minimum of 11 hours continuous break between duties. Quality contracting 72 http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/environment/air_quality/mayor/taxi_emissions.jsp 73 http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=4637 75
More than two thirds of journeys made on public transport are by bus, playing a vital role in easing congestion and providing a green alternative to the car. It is hoped that the Local Transport Act covering England and Wales, which was given Royal Assent in Nov 08 through its introduction of Quality Contracts will encourage as many people as possible to consider switching to buses. The Local Transport Act is seen by many as a first attempt to address the inadequacy and market failure of bus services since deregulation. Local authorities will have greater power to serve routes that are demanded in the local area, which have previously been dropped due to lack of profitability by private contractors. There is the potential to cut down on empty/non full buses on the road by having more full buses. Unite has fought hard to protect bus workers employment conditions that may be affected by the Quality Contract process by getting TUPE protection written into the Act under Clause 39. Unite needs to make sure that during the statutory instrument phase of the Local Transport Act that it continues to deliver for bus workers. In particular there is an opportunity to win access for bus workers to the Local Government Pension Scheme. The company which is awarded the Quality Contract will have Admitted Body Status and can apply for access to the Local Government Pension Scheme or an equivalent scheme. In order to make sure this practice becomes the norm Unite must make sure that the companies who win the Quality Contracts choose to apply for access to the Local Government Pension Scheme so this practice becomes the norm and therefore becomes an expected part of what would make up a Quality Contract. In Scotland the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001, establishes systems for setting up formal bus quality partnerships and bus quality contract schemes. However, to date no Quality Partnerships or Quality Contracts have been introduced and only voluntary partnerships exist. So the Bus Regulation (Scotland) Bill aims to simplify procedures whereby transport authorities specify local bus services and standards to help facilitate Quality Partnerships and Quality Contracts. This is an ongoing battle in Scotland because the Scottish National Party (SNP) are financially backed by Brian Souter who is the Chief Executive of Stagecoach and opposed to Quality Contracts. Modal shift Promotion of public transport – By promoting public transport hopefully people will be encouraged to leave their cars at home and use public transport or walk or cycle. High availability, attractive pricing & more reliable - Passenger numbers will increase if there is a broader offering of public transport options at a lower price which are more reliable. Through ticketing – One ticket used for all forms of transport making public transport more appealing to use. Creating car free zones - To raise awareness on energy conservation, vehicular pollution (both air and noise) and to improve the quality of life and economy of the local community. 76
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SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT AND THE ENVIR
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Table of Contents Page Acknowledgem
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emissions of CO2 from UK aviation..
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might bring about economic efficien
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There are some sustainable transpor
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contribution from Unite is hopefull
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taking action, would, he said, lead
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2003 30,000 older people across Eur
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Greater fuel economy that reduces C
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2.6 Sustainability and economic imp
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as electric and hybrid electric veh
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Air to rail Six out of ten flights
Page 25 and 26: Technological solutions: Technology
Page 27 and 28: contributing to rainforest destruct
Page 29 and 30: Currently all corporations are lega
Page 31 and 32: projected by the DfT’s 2003 white
Page 33 and 34: Between 1987 and 2007 the UK market
Page 35 and 36: Dependant on the message you wish t
Page 37 and 38: The move reflects a decision by the
Page 39 and 40: are concerns that biofuels actually
Page 41 and 42: Unite is currently campaigning to r
Page 43 and 44: overall effects of contrails and th
Page 45 and 46: turboprop will burn 35% less fuel t
Page 47 and 48: The CAT National Committee calls on
Page 49 and 50: unaccustomed portion of the famousl
Page 51 and 52: lorries but do not operated in the
Page 53 and 54: aspect is crucial for ports, which,
Page 55 and 56: Look to new technology to provide l
Page 57 and 58: From Table we can although waterbor
Page 59 and 60: 4.7: Shipping The problem shipping
Page 61 and 62: oil contains high concentrations of
Page 63 and 64: The majority of container shipping
Page 65 and 66: CO 2 emissions in 2007 to 15 per ce
Page 67 and 68: 5 Passenger Services Trade Group: T
Page 69 and 70: has an important part to play in en
Page 71 and 72: Total Greenhouse Gases by Buses & C
Page 73 and 74: enormously punitive but that would
Page 75: Percentage of the Total Greenhouse
Page 79 and 80: 6 Road Transport Commercial 6.1 Int
Page 81 and 82: The intra-EU freight transport, whi
Page 83 and 84: During the 1990s, there was a signi
Page 85 and 86: Light Duty Vehicles Carbon Dioxide
Page 87 and 88: Tackling the sectors’ environment
Page 89 and 90: Taxi drivers more affected by trans
Page 91 and 92: the European Court of Justice - the
Page 93 and 94: CPC training - all drivers have 5 d
Page 95 and 96: Appendices Appendix 1 Input-based m
Page 97 and 98: Appendix 3 GREENING YOUR WORKPLACE
Page 99 and 100: language, and has a good section on
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Sustainable Transport and the Environment Guide - Unite the Union

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