Reversing the decline in passenger numbers
Reversing the decline in passenger numbers
(12 Sep 2021, 9:08 pm)James101 It's worth pointing out that the UK is quite unique in the developed world in having a privatised, de-regulated bus system. Even the USA recognise that buses are ran as a loss-making public service to allow citizens to engage with the economy. That's also Capitalism.
There's a common argument that buses must make money or they shouldn't run. Buses do not make money. Never have & never will. In the UK we provide zero-rate tax on bus fares, Bus Service Operators Grant, (to become Bus Recovery Fund), Green Bus Fund (and it's evolvement into new funds) direct support, Concessionary Fares & more. Vast sums of public money keep buses on the road every day, the difference in the UK is that we've signed off all control of when & where buses run to the private sector.
Many will point to the Brighton & Hove, Bristol & Harrogate to how the private sector is the best way to run a bus service with local authority support. They can be great, but for every Brighton there's a Hartlepool, a Stoke-on-Trent, a Stafford.....a disinterested local authority and a skeleton private service.
(12 Sep 2021, 9:08 pm)James101 It's worth pointing out that the UK is quite unique in the developed world in having a privatised, de-regulated bus system. Even the USA recognise that buses are ran as a loss-making public service to allow citizens to engage with the economy. That's also Capitalism.
There's a common argument that buses must make money or they shouldn't run. Buses do not make money. Never have & never will. In the UK we provide zero-rate tax on bus fares, Bus Service Operators Grant, (to become Bus Recovery Fund), Green Bus Fund (and it's evolvement into new funds) direct support, Concessionary Fares & more. Vast sums of public money keep buses on the road every day, the difference in the UK is that we've signed off all control of when & where buses run to the private sector.
Many will point to the Brighton & Hove, Bristol & Harrogate to how the private sector is the best way to run a bus service with local authority support. They can be great, but for every Brighton there's a Hartlepool, a Stoke-on-Trent, a Stafford.....a disinterested local authority and a skeleton private service.
