Most polluting vehicles set to be charged more

Saturday 11 November 2023

Charges for registering vehicles are likely to be increased after the States narrowly backed the idea this week, with much of the extra cash raised likely to help prevent large hikes in bus fares.

Deputies Lindsay de Sausmarez and Adrian Gabriel, both Envrionment & Infrastructure members, won support for the move through an amendment to the States’ Budget on Thursday.

A new band will be introduced for first registration duty, so the most polluting diesel vehicles will be charged at £2,000 and non-diesel £2,500 - this compares to £1,110 and £1,500 for the current top banding. 

Meanwhile, charges for existing bands will be increased in line with inflation.

As the Budget debate was later adjourned until 22 November, it’s possible that deputies won’t approve the proposition at the final vote.

If it does get through that next hurdle, E&I estimate the higher charges will raise an additional £340,000 per year for the States, and possibly encourage people to purchase cleaner vehicles. 

They want much of the cash raised to “increase the budget for Passenger Transport by £250,000 to help mitigate the need to raise bus fares over and above inflation in 2024".

Deputy warned that costs to keep the bus service running were rising and that around £240,000 extra cash will be needed next year to meet its contractual obligations with CT Plus.

The current bus fare for a single journey is £1.50.

Pictured: Bus fares may not rise as much as they would've done following the success of the amendment. 

Deputy de Sausmarez came in for criticism from P&R for the amendment, with it claiming E&I could raise the duty itself without Assembly approval needed.

But Deputy John Gollop suggested P&R are attempting to cut bus services, and not supporting the amendment would undermine how buses have operated for the last 10 years.

"Don't support undermining the poorest in society and the most environmentally conscious," he said.

Deputy Yvonne Burford said many members of the Assembly don't realise how many people don't drive and rely on alternative transport: "We need to make bus services more attractive... putting up fares doesn't do that”.

Deputies in opposition feared the impact on drivers and the motor trade, while others questioned the value for money being provided by the current bus contract. 

Others said there was nothing wrong with user-pays services increasing in-line with the rate of inflation.

21 voted in favour, while 17 voted against. Two abstained.

The debate on the 2024 Budget will resume on 22 November.