Rail group’s new focus on bus services

09 April 2008
 
Passenger Focus, the statutory rail watchdog, is to be the independent bus and coach consumer watchdog for England, excluding London.

Ruth Kelly, transport secretary, announced the creation of the first official national bus passenger champion to actively represent the millions of people who use buses in the towns, villages and cities across England.

The decision follows a public consultation on taking forward the measures in the Local Transport Bill to give bus passengers an influential and unified national voice for the first time.

Bus Users UK, an industry-funded body, had hoped to get the job, but Kelly said: ‘Passenger Focus already does a great job representing rail passengers across the country. ‘Now it will also champion the interests of bus users, making sure their voices are heard and influencing the way local bus services operate.’

Anthony Smith, chief executive of Passenger Focus, said: ‘Extending our role to become the independent consumer watchdog for England’s bus and coach passengers is a logical way of joining up representation.’

Although England’s Passenger Transport Executives had lobbied for Passenger Focus, the announcement did not receive an unconditional welcome. One of the watchdog’s two offices is in Manchester.

Councillor Roger Jones, chairman of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, said: ‘Passenger Focus already has a huge job with the railways. It is going to need a lot more resources. And looking at the board, I cannot see anyone at all from the North West – or with any obvious bus experience.

‘I would hope that its members would be prepared to meet with the Passenger Transport Authorities on a regular basis.’ Passenger director, Ashwin Kumar, said: ‘We look forward to working with the PTAs and we will be assessing the details of what extra resources we need to take on the new role. ‘We will be looking for bus expertise at all levels.’

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