Local transport minister Norman Baker has called for more partnership between local authorities and bus operators in a Commons debate on the bus industry.
Mr Baker cited Birmingham, Brighton and Oxford as producing examples of the good results that can be achieved through effective working partnerships.
The minister called punctuality the ‘number one’ priority for passengers.
He said: ‘Punctuality is not just a matter for bus companies. There is also a local authority aspect.’
The issue of competition dominated the debate, in advance of the Competition Commission’s report on the bus industry due by 6 January 2012. MPs provided insights into the problems caused by the deregulation of the bus industry under the Transport Act 1985.
Andrew Gwynne, shadow minister for transport, referred to figures produced by the Passenger Transport Executive Group (PTEG) in the six metropolitan conurbations outside London – which has not been deregulated.
Mr Gwynne said figures showed bus fares have increased by 94% in those areas in the years since deregulation, while the number of people using buses has fallen by 46%.
The shadow minister gave an example of how bus operator Stagecoach Manchester had ‘played the system’ by turning one previously profit-making bus route into two subsidised services.
Mr Baker said he would pass concerns that elderly people were losing services and would rather pay fares than have no bus service ‘up the chain’. However, he said the prime minister had refused to compromise on the concessionary fares regime and allow such a change.
He concluded: ‘Buses matter to this Government. My focus is on ensuring that the right funding and regulatory framework are in place to ensure passengers receive the best possible service and taxpayers receive the best possible value from public expenditure.’
The debate was started by Graham Stringer, MP for Blackley and Broughton, who commented on the necessity of the discussion, considering the time since deregulation:
‘It is now a quarter of a century since buses outside London were deregulated under the Transport Act 1985. We have a great deal of experience of what the implementation of the act meant. By and large, it has been a very poor experience. It is sensible to call it a disaster for the bus travelling public.’
