Bus travel in
England will be safer, more efficient and easier to use under new
Government proposals.
The plans – published today in a consultation paper – outline a
range of measures to improve services including a ban the
consumption of alcohol on buses and a requirement for operators to
provide more advanced warning of changes to services.
Also included in the consultation are proposals to allow local
authorities to set maximum ticket prices for all, or certain
categories, of passengers at a level less than the existing
commercial fares.
The proposals are part of the Government’s strategy to increase
bus travel in order to tackle congestion and reduce carbon
emissions from transport.
Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said:
“Two thirds of all public transport journeys are by bus and
passengers deserve a better travelling experience. They shouldn’t
have to suffer from drunks or sudden changes to services.
“I have recently completed a nationwide bus tour where I saw
first hand both excellence in practice and areas where services
need to improve.
“The proposals we are publishing today are a significant step
towards making that improvement and ensuring this vital part of
our transport system continues to thrive.”
Other measures in the consultation include:
- A requirement that new services must operate without variation
for a minimum of 90 days in order to provide a greater degree of
stability for passengers;
- Reduction of administrative costs for local authorities when
tendering for new services;
- Increased notification period of new services to enable local
authorities to provide up to date travel information to passengers;
- Financial penalties for operators who fail to enforce dedicated
wheelchair spaces on buses.
The Government is also asking for views on how the conduct of
drivers and passengers might be improved more generally and how
inconsiderate or anti-social behaviour might be tackled.
Notes to editors:
1. The consultation – entitled “Improving Bus Passenger Services
through the Regulatory Framework” – is open until 1 st June 2010
and can be found at http://dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-17/
2. Bus patronage in England has risen by about a fifth over the
last decade, from 3.8billion in 1998/99 to 4.6 billion in 2008/09.
Two thirds of all public transport journeys are made by bus.
3. In 2007 the Government extended free bus travel for elderly or
disabled people to anywhere in England.
4. Spending on Buses has increased in 2009 to £2.5 billion a
year, up from just £1 billion a decade ago.
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