County Lib Dems want bus regulation

10.35.26am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 24th Nov 2006

Lib Dem County Councillors have relaunched a campaign started almost four years ago after continuing public dissatisfaction with local bus services.

Back in January, 2003, the Liberal Democrats at Norfolk County Council called for local action to see the bus industry subjected to some sort of national regulation, like other major public service organisations. Now it has decided to start campaigning on this issue again after years of privatisation have not led to the level of service improvement hoped for by Government policy-makers.

Lib Dem County Councillor for Costessey, Tim East

At a meeting this week of the County Council's Planning, Transportation, Environment, Waste and Economic Development Review Panel, Lib Dem councillor, Tim East, kick-started the group's crusade with an appeal to fellow councillors to support the arguments he had presented several years earlier for a national watchdog.

Cllr East commented that: "The present absence of a national regulatory authority means that bus operators are largely unaccountable for their actions. Other major public service providers, including rail companies, gas suppliers, education authorities and the like, are answerable to monitoring bodies which ensure that paying customers are getting value for money. Bus companies should have to operate within a similar framework. This is the only way in which we can deliver tangible, long-lasting improvements on the ground."

His remarks were made in response to the Council's new draft bus strategy for Norwich, which was presented for discussion at the meeting. While Cllr East supported the strategy's vision of providing local bus services that reduce social exclusion and improve the environment, he expressed fears that it simply does not go far enough.

"It will take more than just talk to make this work and, unfortunately, I suspect this strategy alone will not be sufficient to secure the regular, fast, clean, reliable bus service that paying passengers deserve. After all the Council has no formal powers to ensure that bus companies comply with the standards that are expected of them. It can reason, persuade or cajole operators to abide by service agreements and satisfy their customers, but it has no real teeth."

Discussions about the Council's bus strategy have now been suspended while the Council waits to hear more precise details of the Government's recently-announced plans to change the way bus services operate. The Liberal Democrats will be using the delay as an opportunity to canvass for the support of other councillors in their drive for an independent, national bus regulator.

Tim East stated on behalf of the group: "I hope that eventually fellow Councillors will see the sense and inherent benefit to be gained from a national regulatory authority for the bus industry. It is an issue on which the County Council should be collectively lobbying the Government."