Labour backs plan to take control of buses
A BID to take control of Bristol's buses has been backed by the Labour Party.
Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle admitted setting up a Quality Contract remained "difficult in practice" and slammed bus operators for their resistance to the scheme.
-
Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle wants to regain control of buses
In her keynote speech at the party conference in Manchester yesterday, Ms Eagle also said councils should be given more support in setting up 20mph speed limit zones, which are set to be spread out across Bristol.
The Liberal Democrat-run city council wants to set up a bus quality contract, a franchise arrangement which would allow it to control timetables, routes and fares.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
It would be the first council in the country to do so, under powers introduced more than a decade ago by the previous Labour government. But MPs have warned of "significant obstacles" in the process, while operator First has criticised the plans.
Ms Eagle told party members: "In government we passed legislation to make it possible.
"But it remains difficult in practice. When the Integrated Transport Authority in Tyne and Wear decided to get a better deal for passengers, how did Stagecoach react?
"They threatened to close depots, sack drivers and take buses off the road overnight. To the bus companies, I say: You operate successfully in a regulated system right across Europe, and you can do so here."
Ms Eagle also said Lib Dem Transport Minister Norman Baker had "stacked the rules on bus funding against transport authorities that pursue reform" and called on him to "restore a level playing field".
The Post reported last month that the government had said new funding available under the Better Bus Areas scheme will not be available to areas that pursue Quality Contracts. City councillor Tim Kent, who is in charge of transport, has said he thought his Lib Dem colleague had made a mistake.
Ms Eagle also told the conference she believed local authorities should be supported in rolling out 20 mph zones.
Bristol City Council is currently consulting on plans to implement the low limit in every residential street after piloting it in three areas.
Ms Eagle also hit out at rail fare increases of up to 11 per cent, and called for a raft of cycle safety measures.
Comments
by artglad
Friday, October 05 2012, 1:25AM
“dm fishponds
No politician can now oppose the 20 mph limit , as the next fatal accident would be blamed on them..
Despite your so called "facts" and any real facts , i am sure that anyone opposing the 20mph will be blamed for any accident, irrespective of the reduction of the speed limit being right or wrong.
I am not stated that I agree or disagree with the reduction of the speed limit.”
by KA12345
Thursday, October 04 2012, 10:34PM
“DM_Fishponds
A very accurate post which sums up the Liberal Democrats. The council seem to get away with whatever they want:
EG:
* Tailored biased questionnaires
* Keeping reports secret claiming they are 'sensitive'
* Ignoring petitions.... and then on some occasions having the cheek to say 'the public don't understand so we will just go ahead!' (Whiteladies Rd GBBN consultation had an 80% negative response, but BCC still pressed ahead!)
* Approving silly road/transport schemes which are dangerous and/or clearly a factor in injuries/casualties and then not doing anything about it (Old Market bus stops).
I could list many more but you know more than me...
The above examples border on pure arrogance, incompetence, corrupt behaviors and ignoring the public they are there to serve etc etc...
Surely there must a grievance/complaints procedure to an independent body at a higher level??? May be we need to investigate this avenue and as a last resort pursue it.”
by corruptbstard
Thursday, October 04 2012, 8:53PM
“That's another of my "recommended manifesto promises" taken on then ;-)
http://tinyurl.com/8sxr43v”
by DM_Fishponds
Thursday, October 04 2012, 8:20PM
“@artglad - "No politician can now oppose the 20 mph limit , as the next fatal accident would be blamed on them."
No . . . wrong . . . completely the opposite is true.
Overall, accidents have INCREASED in Bristol's 20mph test zones, AND the average speed has only DECREASED by 1.4 mph!
The council is hypocritically ignoring these FACTS and instead stating that 'Resident Satisfaction' is their only measure of success.
Accidents have increased, speeds have only reduced marginally and instead of telling the residents this, the council just asks if they are happy!
Well the LibDems asked us if we were 'happy' with GBBN at the consultation stages, and when we said overwhelmingly "No!", they ignored us!
The LibDems are running a 'rigged game', 'moving the goal posts', mis-informing the people or just keeping facts secret.”
by GoveKnows
Thursday, October 04 2012, 4:33PM
“I'm sorry Gary but I can't take you seriously. It's just very difficult to read through all your *hit...
"We will no doubt face obstruction from First"...oh you noble martyr.
"When the Tories privatised buses they failed to protect the users because of their blind faith in the market..."
How about when your lot went on a crazed transport spending spree with sticky out bus stops that cause whole roads to grind to a stop? Or GBBN? Or any of the other utterly mindless ideas you've come up with??!
I'm still scratching my head over what on earth you were taking to make you think converting Westbury Road into a bus lane was a good idea...”
by artglad
Thursday, October 04 2012, 4:31PM
“No politician can now oppose the 20 mph limit , as the next fatal accident would be blamed on them.”
by gary_hopkins
Thursday, October 04 2012, 3:55PM
“The proposal in Bristol is not to nationalise anything or for the council to run the services themselves.
At present the council subsidises the "lossmaking"services and the operators (mainly First) take the profit from the busy services.
They control fares and frequency.
We propose to move to a position where the council puts all the routes up for tender and sets maximum fares.
Both Labour and Tories in Bristol opposed this a few months ago but although the Tories still do Labour have now fallen in behind us.
We will no doubt face obstruction from First but then that is noy surprising as they have some of the most profitable routes in the country in Bristol and an oversize % of the market.
When the Tories privatised buses they failed to protect the users because of their blind faith in the market and the process is still not easy but with a clear mandate from the electorate Jon rogers will be able to get the powers much more speedily.”
by DM_Fishponds
Thursday, October 04 2012, 3:29PM
“@BristolReded - "Nationalse the buses would be a good thing not the speed limit."
. . . but Ms Eagle is supporting 20mph zones and so, presumably, is Marvin Rees.
The Post – "Ms Eagle also said councils should be given more support in setting up 20mph speed limit zones, which are set to be spread out across Bristol."
Is Marvin Rees 'for' or 'against' making Bristol's roads "20mph limit anytime/anywhere"?
If Mr Rees is not toeing-the-party-line on 20mph zones, he needs to clarify his position to the voters.”
by bristolreded
Thursday, October 04 2012, 1:27PM
“Nationalse the buses would be a good thing not the speed limit.”
by Samtron2000
Thursday, October 04 2012, 8:16AM
“@Brizz_Tony. Probably because Manchester actually has a large event and conference centre with a 4* & 5* hotel directly in front! Where as Bristol....”