A lengthy piece on the ULEZ has just arrived on The Evening Standard web site.
It categorically states that `buses and lorries will have to pay £100 per day`. Seriously? Service buses too? Makes no mention of age exemptions.
How does that work when heritage buses come to the rescue when a tube line is out? Or for heritage private hires? And is this the excuse not to run the 15H when this comes in?
Surely there`s not about to be a massive uplift in operating costs without a proportioned planned increase in income?
I can`t believe the wording is correct - though it`s there for all to see.

I don`t think there are any operating bases within the present zone but if an expansion to an area within the North and South Circular roads follows soon as suggested, that surely catches several depots. With many staff coming from afar and having to drive in for early starts, it`s hardly going to help with recruitment or retention if an existing or prospective employee has to change their car to get to work. And if heritage buses are or are not to be exempt will that still lead to a lesser supply of `part time RM drivers` if it`s going to cost so much to get to work?

Those wanting to have their say have until Feb 28 to do so. But the new order starts on April 8. How is anyone supposed to plan ahead?

Historically you can say whatever you like in a TfL consultation, the decision has already been taken.

I`ve just put my RM`s reg number into the TFL vehicle check and it comes back as ok to be in the zone. Not that I want to be! Looks like a sloppy bit of reporting that categorically stated £100 per bus.

Sloppy reporting from the Standard Neil? How long did you work for LT?

When I was in LUL we ignored the Standard, it only commented when things went wrong, never gave LU or its staff any credit and often got things wrong. They don't even know what an RM looks like!

My bus number (if any): RTL 960, RMC 1458, RM 1585 and several RTs