Greens concerned over region's buses

01 JUN 2009

Green Euro candidates are hearing the concerns of bus passengers as they canvass around the region.

“Passengers around Yorkshire are reacting with anger to changes in bus routes and timetables and the rise in fares”, said Martin Hemingway, Lead Green candidate.

“At a time when more and more people are wanting to leave their cars at home and use public transport, private bus companies are letting them down.

"25% of people do not have access to a car and are dependent on public transport [Office of National Statistics]. This includes a large proportion of older people and families with small children who cannot get about without a car, even to do essential shopping.

“Bus deregulation was brought in under Thatcher in 1986. The last 23 years have shown it has not worked and Labour should have had the courage to take this important service back into public ownership.

"We call on the government to take bus services back into public hands.”

"Bus travel is an essential component of our transport system and should not be left to the will of private companies.

"As part of a Green New Deal designed to increase in jobs in this time of recession, while reducing climate change, we want to see funding of public transport doubled.”

Passengers around the region have told Green Party canvassers of:

* Cuts in routes which mean they may have to change jobs

* Changes in operators meaning that the passenger can no longer buy a day ticket for the whole route (two bus journeys) resulting in a 100% increase in fares to work

* Removal of return fares meaning a rise from Ł2.50 to Ł4.00

* Use of older buses which are dirty, create fumes and are so uncomfortable that they are causing backaches and headaches

* Unpleasant behaviour of some passengers not being dealt with

* Services that now end at 7:30pm

* Service from York to Leeds/Bradford airport axed and replaced with express service to Leeds which competes with other, existing train and bus services

“The bus companies are claiming that they need to cut or axe some services to make others viable, but First, the main provider in most of our region, increased it’s profits last year. Many people commented that fares went up when fuel prices rose, but did not come down when the price fell again.”

Martin Hemingway: