MacKenzie A (Alan)
From: CLARK, Katy
Sent: 09 September 2013 14:01
To: Bus Bill
Subject: Bus Bill Consultation
1. Do you support the general aim of the proposed Bill? Please indicate “yes/no/undecided” and
explain the reasons for your response.
Yes, | strongly support the principles behind the proposed Bill De-regulation of bus services has failed and let down
communities throughout Scotland including many in my constituency who have seen their bus services cut for no
longer being “commercially viable”. In the current free market system it is too easy for bus operators to cut services
in the drive for profit and the communities served by economically unattractive routes have suffered as a
consequence. This bill would give transport authorities powers to ensure that bus services meet the needs of
communities and once more make bus services a real public service.
2. What would be the main practical advantages of the legislation proposed? What would be the
disadvantages?
The main advantage is that transport authorities will have the powers to shape bus services to meet community
need.
Allowing transport authorities to bundle routes will mean that routes which serve a social need but are not
financially attractive to bus companies will be subsidised allowing bus services to meet the needs of everyone.
Powets to set service standards and have some control over fares will also better serve our local communities and
make buses a more attractive option which will hopefully increase its usage.
‘The cost of regulation could be one disadvantage but could be managed within the legislation. The pressures on
smaller bus companies and their ability to compete for bundled tenders may be another disadvantage but again this
could be managed by the transport authority in developing the tenders.
es?
prove bus ser
in what ways do you envisage reregulation being used te
Reregulation could provide better bus services for communities, particularly rural ones, who have been let down by
the deregulated system by increasing the reliability and frequency of their service. It would also remove the threat
of immediate service cuts and hopefully ensure a continuity of service if bus operators pull out of a route.
The involvement of public bodies will also bring greater transparency to the market and the powers of transport
authorities to set service standards and control fares should make services more attractive to not only those who
currently use bus services but those who don’t,
4, How can community transport be better utilised to serve local communities and particularly low
passenger volume routes?
Community transport is vitally important to groups, who are often vulnerable, who are isolated by regular transport
services. | represent a constituency with two islands and services such as SPT’s My Bus deliver a vital service to many
of my constituents, However, community transport services require greater investment and support, particularly
from central government. The extension of the free concessionary travel to cover community transport services
‘would improve access td services for my constituents as would greater subsides from central government.
5, Do you agree that the Traffic Commissioner should be able to impose greater financial penalties
‘on operators who a) fail to meet the terms of the franchise or b) walk away from the franchise
altogether?Yes, the Traffic Commissioner should be empowered to ensure that the bus services tendered by transport
authorities are delivered to the standard expected in the tender. The Traffic Commissioner should be given real
powers to undertake this important role and imposing meaningful financial penalties or indeed walking away from a
franchise should ensure the delivery, after the tender, of a good quality of service to our communities.
6. What is your assessment of the likely financial implications of the proposed Bill to you or your
organisation? What other significant financial implications are likely to arise?
The ill wll have no financial impact on me but may have a financial impact on public bodies such as the Scottish
Government, transport authorities and local authorities as well as bus companies. There will inevitably be a
requirement for greater investment in bus services and regulation itself will cost money but the legislation should
set out where the financial implications will fall on bus operators, transport authorities or central government,
7. 1s the proposed Bill ikely to have any substantial positive or neg: ions for equality?
If itis likely to have a substantial negative implication, how might this be minimised or avoided?
Itis likely to have a positive impact on equality by ensuring that good quality bus services are not only available to
those in urban areas (particularly cities) but also those in rural areas, Bundled routes should bring some equity
between the standard of services delivered to different communities.
8. Do you have any other comment or suggestion that is relevant to the need for or detail of this,
Bill?
Deregulation of bus services hasn't worked and there is a need for change. This bill provides an opportunity for that
change but legislation in itself will not deliver quality bus services. Greater investment in bus services will be
required to ensure that the proposals in this bill work. There will also be a need for transport authorities to use the
legislation in a constructive manner and bundle routes in such a way as to make the tender competitive for smaller
‘bus operators to be able to bid but also to ensure that all communities are served with a quality bus service.
| welcome this bill and very much hope that it progresses through the Scottish Parliament.
Katy Clark
Member of Parliament
North Ayrshire and Arran
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