Leeds City Council Backs MPs Concerns on Bus Deregulation after Lib Dem (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Leeds City Council Backs MPs Concerns on Bus Deregulation after Lib Dem

February 27, 2004 12:00 AM

Liberal Democrats supported a motion at yesterdays Council meeting expressing concern about bus services in Leeds. Councillor Brian Cleasby (Lib Dem, Horsforth) moved an amendment asking the Council to support Lib Dem and Labour MPs who have signed an early day motion in the House of Commons expressing concern at the decline in bus patronage and continuing reductions in socially necessary services since the industry was deregulated outside London.

Cllr Cleasby said :- "There was support from throughout the Council for the view that 'the services provided by some bus operators are inadequate to meet the needs of residents'. My amendment added to that by linking the issue to the deregulation of bus services which has taken place outside London. It is a generally held view across Passenger Transport Executives that the 'London' system, where the Mayor and Greater London Authority have much greater control over designating services than in other major cities such as Leeds would produce a more reliable and useful bus service."

The Liberal Democrat Amendment reads as follows :-

"This Council would also like to express its support for Early Day Motion 518 expressing concern at the decline in bus patronage and continuing reductions in socially necessary services since the industry was deregulated outside London."

The text of Early Day Motion 518 reads as follows :-

"That this House recognises the success of the franchised bus network in London which has improved service quality and resulted in much greater use of services; notes the decline in bus patronage and continuing reductions in socially necessary services since the industry was deregulated outside London; and therefore calls upon the Government to change the current legislative framework in order to make it easier and quicker for local authorities in circumstances where the industry has failed to provide a socially inclusive service and deliver the quality necessary to achieve patronage growth in line with national targets."