PLANS to force bus firms to replace buses with new low emission vehicles will lead to a fares hike as they are rushed, according to First Bus.

Glasgow City Council’s environment committee is meeting today to discuss its plans for a Low Emission Zone in the city centre. It is likely to mean all buses will need to meet strict emissions standards by the end of 2022 to enter the city centre.

Glasgow’s biggest bus operator wants more time and said anything quicker than five years to comply would likely see costs passed on to passengers.

The changes could cost First Bus alone up to almost £100m for new buses and retro-fitting newer buses to bring them up to standard.

Asked if it will mean fares increases, Andrew Jarvis, First Bus managing director, said: “If the requirement for upgrade is any shorter than five years from December  31, 2018 then there is likely to be additional costs which the company will have to fund, potentially through such measures.”

Bus firms also want cars to be subject to the tougher standards as well as buses and at the same time.

First Bus said it backs moves to improve air quality but singling out buses for enforcement is unfair.

The firm, which has more than 700 buses on the road in the city, said cars are the biggest polluter.

Mr Jarvis, said: “We are fully behind moves to improve the air quality in the city, but any restrictions should apply to all modes and not just buses.

“As the city’s largest bus operator, we are concerned that these measures are only aimed at buses and not the number one cause of pollution on our roads, cars.

“The focus being only on bus is unfair given that it is the only form of road transport capable of reducing congestion and improving air quality on the city’s roads.”

First said it will cost almost £100m to meet the standards for 700 buses as older buses will need to be replaced costing £80m and others upgraded at a cost of up to £17m.

Glasgow will be the first city in Scotland to introduce a Low Emission Zone.

The Greens said pollution in Glasgow is shocking and the council must be more ambitious in its plans. They want the new standards to be brought in within two years and for all other vehicles to be included in a second phase. The confederation of Passenger Transport, which represents the bus industry, said private cars should not be given a free pass while buses have to upgrade.

A spokesman said: “Any Low Emission Zone that focuses solely on buses limits its ability to deliver real air quality improvements. Bus and coach accounts for less than five per cent of road based emissions while cars account for over 50 per cent.

“Forcing compliance from the bus sector while giving other vehicles a free pass for another four years is entirely counter-intuitive and risks damaging Glasgow’s bus network at a time when we should be heralding public transport as a solution to the city’s air pollution problem.” 

The regulations need to be phased in to allow bus firms to meet the standards according to the council.

By the start of next year, 20 per cent of buses will need to meet the standards, increasing gradually to 100 per cent compliance by 2023.