:um finance 'or UK buses
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IAN transport in Europe was the subject of a one-day conference held by the West Midlands Ion of the Chartered Institute of Transport. The main speaker was F. J. Lloyd, of the West lands Passenger Transport Executive, who outlined the current urban passenger picture in am n and Europe and compared the two.
Fare systems were also described and compared. The trust system in use in some European cities, through which passengers obtain their tickets, validate them and passenger is found without a valid ticket, he then has to buy one at a much higher price.
• Financial support of services was also mentioned, and it was estimated that in 1977 almost all public transport undertakings in Europe were subsidised.
Different Ways at organising subsidies are, however, in use. In France local authorities can levy a tax on employers to assist in meeting the cost of public transport.
In Belgium bus subsidies are similar to railway subsidies, and in Germany subsidies are given to undertakings provided that public transport is efficient and meets public service obligations.
Mr Lloyd concluded by saying that he saw Great Britain becoming more closely aligned with Europe, and he believed the principle of subsidies for bus services under a Public Service Obligation (PSO) arrangement would eventually be adopted. A similar arrangement already exists for railways in Europe.