(16 Jan 2017, 9:36 am)eezypeazy wrote Isn't it up to the government how they stimulate behaviour in any industry? What about all those buses that were bought in the 1960s using New Bus Grant to allow rear entrance buses to be withdrawn early so that one person operation could be introduced faster? That's what governments do.
And credit must go to the manufacturers for coming up with affordable Euro 6/LCEB vehicles.
You didn't answer the questions eezypeazy. According to info on here, the Washington Cadets were given their mods in Jan 15 whilst based in Gateshead. Withdrawn Sept 16.
Is it 9p per km the MicroHybrids get in BSOG uplift?
Re Governments. Suppose it depends on what side of the fence you sit on, regarding specific Government involvment. Sticking with the bus industry, there was the domination by BET and Tilling that was disrupted by Government, there was the Grant you mentioned to speed up one-person operation, later on the push/encouragement to purchase nationalised Leyland vehicles, de-reg in 86, continued financial support in various guises like BSOG to the privatised industry and legislation that allows QCS in the regions.
I have no doubt there will be positives and negatives to each of those involvements - such as the number of manufacturers that ceased trading post-86 when orders for new vehicles dried up. Ditto the impact on operators if/when powers are devolved to LA's or PTE's.