LT looks at its goo and bad points
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LONDON TRANSPORT'S bus business is reported to have undergone a "tough self-examination". According to its staff newspaper, LT News, IT bus management and trades union officials have met to discuss the organisation's strengths and weaknesses.
The management assessed the main weaknesses as the effect of traffic congestion {which would affect any operator), some counter-productive staff agreement practices, and poor vehicle reliability.
Poor productivity in some areas was said to be caused by unnecessary tasks being done rather than by a lack of effort. Other points raised were the low proportion of one-man operated services, weak attitudes and "probably too much done inhouse".
Among the strengths, according to the management, are a better service in suburban areas than "people give credit for", the supervisory infrastructure, and technical aids which are being developed.
According to LT development director (buses) Derek Keeler, a committment to 100 per cent one-man operation could save money, although this view was not shared by the Transport and
General Workers Union London district secretary who remembered an exercise carried out in Romford which, he claimed, showed there was no saving with o-m-o.
He pointed out that the LT management theme was that survival depends on reduced costs, yet there are still as many managers in the bus districts, formed in 1978, as there were in the old LT divisions.
He also was quoted as saying that he made a point concerning the lack of practical experience among the district management when it was established and that he was told that this would be rectified. He is still waiting.
Other Union spokesmen spoke of the need for LT to overcome its use as a political football, and for social services to be kept going for the sake of future generations.