Busmen sound 'SOS' on radios
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1 A furious row has erupted ver the future safety of bus rews following a Department f Transport refusal to discuss re funding of new radio telehones, which bus companies ay they will need to meet new and 3 regulations.
The Association of Metropotan Authorities (AMA) has acused the Government of ;noring the need for safer rorking conditions, AMA hairman, councillor Michael ■ immons, says the radios are • adly needed to help combat Lssaults on staff and vandalism.
In a letter to Transport dinister, David Mitchell, irgently requesting a meeting vith the DTp, Simmons says: Radio provides one of the rest means of protecting staff, x)th as a deterrent and be:ause help can be summoned luicIdy. The current equipment s perfectly satisfactory and mly needs replacing because of the Government's agreement m frequencies at the 1979 World Radio Conference.
"The costs involved are enormous," according to Simmons. "Yorkshire Rider estimates that it will have to spend between £1.25 million and 21.5 million, while the cost to West Midlands Travel wil be in excess of E3 million."
Mitchell turned down the re quest for the meeting and has refused any funding, on the grounds that the problems of assaults has not been "a primary motive" for the use of radiophones in the bus service.
Simmons accepts that radiophones "have other operational uses", but maintains that they have been increasingly used in the fight against violence.
"Concern is growing as the DTp's own report, Assaults on Bus Staff and Measures to Prevent Such Assaults shows," says Simmons.
"This must be an area justifying encouragement and real financial support from Government as a way of assisting in the regeneration of our cities."
The Bus and Coach Council supports the AMA and says it is currently negotiating with the DTI and other radio-phone users to help convince the Government that a 1990 deadline on Band 3 radios should be postponed until the ultimate deadline of 1995.
The BCC says the changes Will have to happen but sees these moves as "enforced".
Because they are mandatory changes, funds should be made available to bus operators using radiophones whose working life is far from over, says the council.