Passenger transport executives and local authorities could be given more control over bus time-tables and fares, in a bid to improve services.
Transport minister ~Derek Twigg~ hinted at the move, which has long been called for by backbench Labour MPs, frustrated at not being able to tackle bus reliability and fares, to tackle the national fall in patronage.
In the introduction to a PTEG report, Twigg said: ‘We are looking at ways to improve planning and operating bus networks in our big urban areas. This could involve local authorities and bus operators agreeing timetables, fares, bus priority and investment by mutual agreement.’
Spokesman for PTEG, Jonathon Bray, said: ‘There has been a lot of thinking going on behind the scenes and this statement appears to pave the way for an announcement.’