Liverpool City Region Bus Franchising

[CUL 73V]

RE: Liverpool City Region Bus Franchising

(25/06/2023 08:11)Barney Wrote:  3. The franchising model gives a single operator a monopoly on specific routes thus reducing overall costs by eradicating wasteful and unnecessary competition.

So we should remove private sector competition, which doesn't cost the taxpayer a penny, at the expense of the taxpayer? I don't see your logic there.

(25/06/2023 08:11)Barney Wrote:  5. Fares will be lower under franchising.

I'm afraid fares won't be cheaper than they are now. As I and others have said, council tax will be higher, making it a complete false economy. In addition, the huge sum of money LCR have admitted they'd need to borrow for startup costs will have to be repaid. They won't be able to afford to set cheaper fares. It's just spin to make people buy into this utterly ridiculous idea which benefits nobody.

I'll also have to pay towards a service I don't have to pay for as a benefit of my employment. I don't see the logic or fairness in that one.

(25/06/2023 10:09)Barney Wrote:  Which taxes? Taxation come in two forms: direct and indirect. Here are just a few of them: Income Tax, VAT, Capital Gains, National Insurance, Inheritance Tax, Customs and Excise Duty, Stamp Duty, Local Council Tax, Vehicle Tax, Road Tolls.

We'd all love to keep as much of our income and wealth as possible - the super rich seem to manage to do this very successfully - but the reality is that in a functioning society taxation is a necessity.

I think that the question that needs to be asked is how much will any individual or household be asked to contribute towards a franchising model. For some people, any additional cost is unacceptable.

Council tax will have to be increased to pay for franchising. I don't know how many times you need to be told.

In case it's escaped you, we're in a cost of living crisis. The city region quite obviously can't afford this system, otherwise they wouldn't have borrow the money which the taxpayer will have to pay back. You might have money to waste, but a large number of people in this region, including my partner and I who have to provide for our children, don't.

The alternate model of enhanced partnership leaves the financial burden with the private sector. That's the best place for it.