Talks of Liverpools bus network being "council" run

[enrag2000]

RE: Talks of Liverpools bus network being "council" run
STAGECOACH STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO LABOUR PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT ON PLANS FOR BUS SERVICES IN ENGLISH REGIONS

31 Oct 2014

Martin Griffiths, Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, said: "This uncosted and unnecessary plan would land people in England's biggest city regions overnight with a tax bill running to hundreds of millions of pounds, as well as leading to higher bus fares.

"Britain's bus operators provide extensive, integrated and high quality bus networks which are central to regional economies and local communities in England's biggest city regions.

"It is time politicians stopped peddling the myth that London is best and has a monopoly on good bus services. The truth is that England’s city regions have significantly lower fares and higher customer satisfaction than London, as well as having access to frequent, integrated bus services and smart ticketing. This is despite many environmental factors – such as high population growth, low car ownership, congestion charging and significantly higher per capita public funding – which have all been advantageous to London.

"Stagecoach and other major operators are already working on extensive plans to deliver better buses and stronger city regions. Our plans will provide even better transport integration, more local political engagement and a greater voice for customers. At the same time, they will offer even better taxpayer value.

"To make that happen, we need supportive central and local government policies that make a practical difference for bus passengers, rather than talk about costly and unnecessary structural change."