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Transport bill 'good news for bus passengers'

24/05/2007

The government's newly-published local transport bill has been hailed by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) as "the most important piece of legislation for bus passengers in 20 years".

Councillor Roger Jones, chair of the GMPTA, has said that if the bill is approved by parliament, local authorities would be in a position to "radically improve" the standard of local bus services.

It means that that the GMPTA would be allowed to set timetables, routes and ticket prices, as well as raise the bar when it comes to reliability and punctuality, thereby reversing the Tories' deregulation of the buses more than 20 years ago.

Councillor Jones said: "It looks likely that we will finally have the powers to give local people reliable, affordable bus services that take them where they want to go.

"I look forward to working with Greater Manchester's bus operators to deliver a network which best serves the needs of all our residents."

Since deregulation, bus journeys in Greater Manchester have fallen by 38 per cent, while bus fares have risen by 42 per cent above inflation, according to the GMPTA.


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