Scottish Naas fares challenge
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A FIRM policy to erase an estimated Elm deficit suffered annually by Lothian Region's bus service has been urged by the Scottish Nationalists. Councillor William Hardie, of Queensferry, challenged leaders in Labour and Conservative groups publicly to declare the course they will follow on bus fares and transport generally within Edinburgh after the elections this month.
He accused Labour of carrying out a pre-election whitewash job to win votes. "During the budget debate the Labour group deliberately concealed the facts about the transport deficit," said Councillor Hardie, who is secretary of the regional council's SNP group.
"Instead they voted for a £5 million rates subsidy — just big enough to contain the situation until the regional elections are safely past.
"Then, and, only then, will the Labour group let the public know the truth — that the bus services are already running at an annual deficit of more than £1m.
"SNP was alone among the major parties in opposing the last round of fares increases. We argued instead for a Government financial guarantee to introduce a simplified two-tier structure containing fares and lightening the burden of transport costs on people living on the outskirts of the city," he said.
The regional council, in conjunction with Scottish Omnibuses and other operators, is carrying out a public transport survey in Midlothian. The three-month survey — already completed in East and West Lothian — is designed to acquire an extensive knowledge of the transport needs of people through the region, and where and when they want to travel.