Archived press release
Go to our press releases area for our current press releases.
Buses:right idea, but prescott's "racehorses" will fall at first fence without legislation
23 March 1999
Friends of the Earth today welcomed the Government's announcement of plans to improve bus services - turning them, in the words of John Prescott, from workhorses into racehorses[1] - but warned that legislation would be needed to bring about real change.
Some of the measures that the Government is expected to propose, such as better bus information, can be introduced immediately. But legislation will be needed on Quality Partnerships (which strengthen partnerships between councils and bus operators) and Quality Contracts (which increase local authority control over bus services). This legislation was expected in the Queens Speech last year, but did not appear in the Government's programme.
Tony Bosworth, Friends of the Earth's Transport Campaigner, said:
“The Government's plans will go a long way towards providing better bus services - when they are implemented. But Mr Prescott's plans to make buses racehorses rather than workhorses will fall at the first fence if there is no legislation. If the Government is serious about better buses, then it must find Parliamentary time to make it happen as soon as possible”.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] Government statement on the launch of the Integrated Transport White Paper, House of Commons,20th July 1998 (Hansard col 785)
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
