Portillo confident

10th November 1988, Page 15

10th November 1988

Page 15

Page 15, 10th November 1988 — Portillo confident

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• Britain's bus industry is on course for a long-term increase in its passenger business, according to Transport Minister Michael Portillo. He says that since deregulation bus distance has risen sharply, while operating costs have gone down — and local authorities are saving some £100 million a year on subsidies.

Nonetheless, Portillo accepted that there has been a steep, long-term decline in bus patronage — a trend that has continued despite deregulation. "Outside London, patronage fell by 7% between 1985 and 1986 and between 1986 and 1987, although I believe that with deregulation the industry will eventually have a chance of modifying that long-term trend." he says.