Local bus service provision - the case for regulatory reform

The importance of buses in the UK is outlined in relation to better access to jobs and services, prevention of social exclusion and reducing the use of cars. The current situation is outlined, with five companies dominating provision of bus services by area but without competing effectively, a concentration of services on main roads, rising fares and poor service information. The Government has set a target of increasing bus use by 12% in England by 2010 compared with 2000 levels but this is generally not being met outside London. The proportion of local authority-supported bus mileage is increasing where routes are not profitable for commercial operators. This places a strain on local authority budgets. Bus fares are higher and financial support for buses is lower outside than within London. The alternatives include voluntary Quality Partnership Agreements, Statutory Quality Partnership schemes, Quality Bus Contracts and Quality Network Agreements. The setting up and advantages of Quality Network Agreements are explained. The inadequacy of revenue funding for local bus services is emphasised. A more balanced approach to managing car use is sought, including reallocation of road space. This publication may be found at: http://www.atco.org.uk/publications/busreformpaper06.pdf

• Corporate Authors:

  ASSOCIATION OF TRANSPORT CO-ORDINATING OFFICERS

  ,    
• Publication Date: 2006-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: unpaginated

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Administration; Automobiles; Buses; Carriers; Costs; Equity; Financing; Improvements; Level of service; Local government agencies; Modal split; Planning; Policy
• Uncontrolled Terms: Use
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 155: Administration; 1272: Bus; 1243: Car; 224: Cost; 9136: Equity; 244: Financing; 9108: Improvement; 653: Level of service; 192: Local authority; 675: Modal split; 143: Planning; 173: Policy; 274: Transport operator; 8119: United Kingdom; 9084: Use
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation; Society; I10: Economics and Administration; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01111905
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 30 2008 10:12AM