West Midlands Transport Industry to Fight Climate Change

A pioneering Green Transport Charter, the first of its kind in the UK, was launched in the West Midlands on Monday 6th September 2010 to help cut carbon emissions and fight climate change.

The Charter, which is being spearheaded by transport authority Centro, has seen the region's transport industry sign a pledge to work together in support of the environment.

Companies have agreed a course of actions aimed specifically at tackling climate change.

Those signing up will pledge to:

• Reduce carbon emissions and other harmful pollutants
• Launch pilot trials of new technology such as electric and hybrid buses and establish recharging networks for private electric vehicles
• Share innovative green technology
• Support initiatives that encourage people to choose greener modes of transport

The Charter not only brings together rail, bus and tram operators but also other important areas of the industry such as freight, haulage, coach travel and the voluntary sector such as the Ring and Ride service and other operations delivered by wmsnt.

Centro chairman Cllr Angus Adams said: “No other city region in the UK has done anything like this before but we feel it is crucial if we are to beat climate change. After all, none of us can do it alone; we all have to work together on this. This is an important moment because the Charter will, for the first time, see the West Midlands transport industries sit down as a whole to specifically discuss how we can all cut CO2 emissions".

Sixteen of some of the biggest names in the region's transport companies formerly launched the Charter with a signing ceremony outside Centro's headquarters in Birmingham city centre.

Centro and National Express West Midlands together with Arriva Trains Wales, London Midland, Stagecoach Warwickshire and Virgin Trains are also sending staff on 'Eco Driving' courses which teach them to operate their vehicles in a way that reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

wmsnt is looking to introduce electric minibuses on its 'home to school' contracts for children with special needs.

Centro's Chief Executive, Geoff Inskip, added: “A number of key players in the industry have come together to launch the Charter but in the longer term we would like to involve an even wider variety of organisations, from those operating and supporting transport to those campaigning for and developing green policies and programmes".

The transport companies who have signed up to the Green Charter are:

Arriva Trains Wales
Centro
Chiltern Railways
Community Transport
Cross Country Trains
Highway Agency
London Midland
National Express West Midlands
Parry People Mover
Road Haulage Association
Rotala Plc / Central Connect
Stagecoach Warwickshire
The Green Bus Company
Travel de Courcey
Virgin Trains
West Midlands Special Needs Transport