Bus reregulation welcomed

The government announcement that bus services will be reregulated has been welcomed by a leading Liberal Democrat in the North East.

Dr Jonathan Wallace, Councillor for Whickham South and Sunniside in Gateshead, said the reversal in policy would go some way towards addressing the problems caused by recent bus service cutbacks.

Currently, bus service levels and routes are decided by bus companies and local councils had only a very minimal control over some routes. Ministers have today announced plans to bring management of services more directly under public control.

“My own ward has suffered a large reduction in services, especially in Sunniside village,” said Dr Wallace.

“These have created considerable problems for residents, many of whom feel cut off as a result of the changes and cuts.

“We as councillors had no control over these changes. I am instinctively against unnecessary government or council intervention but on such an important service as bus services, there is a strong case for regulation to ensure a wider public service continues.

“It’s a pity it has taken 9 years for the government to do something about this. Back in 2000, Liberal Democrat MPs were battling the government to ensure there was more regulation of bus services as part of the Transport Bill then going through Parliament.

“Unfortunately, our calls fell on deaf Labour ears. Years later government ministers are having to return to sort out the mess that should have been cleaned up years ago.”

Dr Wallace has recently carried out a survey of over 1200 households in his ward about the impact of bus service changes.