news story

20th October 2007

MP Calls for New Powers over Local Bus Company

Click here to read a transcript of the debate

Speaking in a debate at Westminster last week, Northavon MP Steve Webb has called for greater powers for Councils to cap the fares of local bus firms such as First Bus, following complains of 'extortionate' fares by local young people.

The MP was leading a debate that he had secured because of widespread concerns about poor public transport in South Gloucestershire. The MP said he had been particularly struck by the number of young people who had contacted him via his 'Facebook' site on the Internet to complain about the lack of affordable bus services.

He told Transport Minister Rosie Winterton that some young people were paying a large part of their income in bus fares, and that others said it was cheaper for a small group to get a taxi than to travel with First Bus. He said that the company simply operated what services it thought it would get the most money from and charged whatever fares it thought it could get away with, and that this was 'no way to run a public service'.

In response, Rosie Winterton accepted that the level of bus fares had been rising, and said that Councils were to be given new powers in their dealings with bus companies. Whilst the Government preferred that councils and bus companies should form partnerships with agreements over fares, routes and action on traffic congestion, councils would have the power to create contracts for bus companies which could place limits on fares.

Speaking after the debate, Steve Webb said:

"I have been overwhelmed by the number of young people who have been in touch to register their complaints about bus fares and frequencies. It is not only young people who are affected of course, and many commuters find that services are expensive and unreliable.

"I was encouraged to hear from the Minister that councils are to be given new powers to rein in bus companies, but I will now be putting pressure on South Gloucestershire Council to stand up for local people much more effectively in their dealings with First Bus".