10 Aug 2014, 8:48 am
#196
(09 Aug 2014, 9:45 pm)col87 The point i trying to make is they should be made to serve all areas not just were the most profit is. Perheaps they needs to be some regulation and more competition in places. I am aware I have gone off topic so if a mod wants to move this to another part of the forum then feel free
That's where local authority support usually steps in.
Unfortunately, with the cuts the government has placed on all of our local authorities, subsidising bus services has fallen way down the list of priorities.
I think we can all see your point and don't disagree, however as pointed out already, bus companies these days need to make money to pay for their outlay (Drivers, fuel, insurance, maintenance, overheads etc). Local authorities simply don't have the funds (or don't want to allocate the funds) to provide support for services that do not quite meet operational costs.
The bus company then has the decision to make. Withdraw the loss making route or retain it, if it has benefits elsewhere (such as a feeder into a much more profitable route). Most of the time, loss making services are either significantly reduced to suit demand, or withdrawn in full.
A tongue in cheek example would be that you wouldn't see ASDA buying bread for 50p a loaf and selling it for 30p, would you? The exact same principle applies in business, irrespective of the product you are supplying.
Social responsibility is irrelevant now. Only a QCS would make sure the poorer services were catered for, by wrapping them up into tenders with the most profitable.
I think the problem lies somewhat in the genera public assumption that a public service should provide everything that may be wanted. Infact, most people still seem to think that their council tax entitles them to a service. That was dissolved a long time ago. Bus operators are businesses, that happen to make money by driving vehicles around and letting people get on for a fare. No social obligations whatsoever and that will not change, no matter how many people get upset by it.
