BUS DEREGULATION

The transport and Road Research Laboratory has been monitoring the impact of the 1985 transport act which deregulated local bus operations outside London. Service levels, as measured by vehicle kilometres registered, have increased steadily since deregulation and the increase is reflected in both subsidized services and those operated commercially. There were initial reductions in services in most metropolitan areas but these have generally been more than recovered. There was also an initial fall in patronage; it is not known whether patronage has recovered. Fares have generally moved in line with inflation although there were some massive fare increases in metropolitan areas. These increases were the result of reduced expenditure limits rather than deregulation. The number of operators has increased, small operators being particularly successful in winning subsidy contracts. Operating subsidies have decreased significantly but opportunities have been taken to extend concessionary fares schemes. Innovation has been mainly in the form of minibus services. There is no evidence of any significant change in standards of bus safety or maintenance. (a)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0263788X
• Corporate Authors:

  Thomas Telford Limited

  London,   United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • CLOUGH, W S
• Publication Date: 1988-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 247-55
• Serial:
  • MUNICIPAL ENGINEER
  • Volume: 5
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Thomas Telford Limited
  • ISSN: 0263-788X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buses; Deregulation; Financing; Level of service; Maintenance; Operations research; Public transit; Safety; Tariffs; Urban areas
• Uncontrolled Terms: Use
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1272: Bus; 244: Financing; 653: Level of service; 3847: Maintenance; 9055: Operational research; 744: Public transport; 1665: Safety; 241: Tariff; 8119: United Kingdom; 313: Urban area; 9084: Use
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00483372
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1989 12:00AM