Brighton & Hove City Council has ditched The Big Lemon’s electric buses for a diesel fleet on its supported bus services for the next four years, raising questions over the bidding process and the Council’s net zero ambitions.
The Big Lemon, a community interest company which has operated zero-emissions electric buses powered by renewable energy on routes 16, 47 and 52 on behalf of Brighton & Hove City Council since 2017, says the decision goes against the Council’s commitment to being net zero by 2030.
More worryingly, The Big Lemon has raised serious and as yet unanswered questions over the tendering process, instructing solicitors Broadfield to advise on the Council’s decision.
Tom Druitt, the Chief Executive of The Big Lemon said: “Brighton & Hove City Council is committed to achieving net zero by 2030 and this is reflected in all of its tender processes. Yet in this tender, it has awarded maximum points for a vehicle solution that does not appear to comply with the requirements of the published tender documents.
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“Moreover, the Council has refused to answer questions regarding the proposed vehicle solution and seems to have contradicted itself on the existence or not of a plan to phase out petrol/diesel vehicles over the course of the contract, in line with the council’s 2020-2030 Fleet Management Strategy and 2030 net zero carbon target.”
Ron Tanner who has followed The Big Lemon from its start in 2006 and who now chairs the Board representing community shareholders, said: “For nearly eight years Brighton and Hove has had a zero-emission bus service that is run by the community for the community. The Big Lemon is unique in its approach, prioritising sustainability and community involvement above maximising profits for shareholders and since it started operating these routes in 2017.
“It has made the service more sustainable and doubled the number of passengers using the services, reducing the number of car journeys into the city and all the pollution and congestion that comes from that. From April, the city will take a backward step, reverting to diesel buses.
“The Council has said that the proposed solution includes a plan to phase out petrol/diesel vehicles over the course of the contract, but there is no evidence this plan exists and the council now refuses to confirm whether it does or not. What has the council got to hide?”
Oliver Wright, a partner at the law firm Broadfield, said: “The Big Lemon has operated six vital bus routes in Brighton for the past five years alongside routes in Bath and Bristol. It is a community interest company, focused on providing a service to the city whilst all of the time working with Brighton & Hove City Council towards achieving its ambitious net zero goals.
“All The Big Lemon asks is that the bidding process be open and fair. The Council still has questions to answer over whether or not there is a plan which complies with the tender specification. The contract gives Brighton & Hove City Council the option to change its mind and to allow Big Lemon to continue to operate emission-free buses. We would urge them to do so.”
