Local Control Over Buses Needed Now! - John Leech MP
7.32.45pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 4th Oct 2006
Manchester Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington and Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson John Leech has welcomed news that the Government has pledged to give local authorities more control over bus services.
John Leech MP said:
"I welcome this news. The Liberal Democrats have long called for greater control of bus services for local authorities. However, the question must be asked, why has it taken the Labour Government nine years to make this decision?"
"De-regulation of bus services in the 1980s has caused growing chaos for bus users and other road users as bus companies scramble to operate as many buses as possible on the most profitable routes, such as the Wilmslow Road corridor."
He continued:
"We have seen this going from bad to worse in Manchester recently, with buses clogging up the City Centre causing delays for bus users and traffic chaos for other road users and even the Metrolink."
In London, where buses are regulated, services are frequent on the less lucrative routes instead of being concentrated on just a few, as happens in Manchester. Regulated buses in London also have to conform to strict safety rules. Fares have also been kept down in the capital, compared to other cities.
"It is no wonder that passenger numbers have risen in London, but fallen in Manchester and elsewhere." said John.
He concluded:
"It is clear that greater regulation of these services is needed in Manchester so the local Passenger Transport Authority can act to resolve the problem."
"The Tories deregulated the buses in the 1980s and Labour have done nothing about it since they came to power in 1997. They must act quickly now to bring some sanity to our roads."
End
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