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Bleak warning on London Transport

14th May 1976, Page 7
14th May 1976
Page 7
Page 7, 14th May 1976 — Bleak warning on London Transport
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

HIGHER FARES for years to come is the bleak prospect facing London's bus and Underground passengers unless the Government can be persuaded to put more money into public transport.

This warning comes in the annual report of the London Transport Passengers Committee.

It says : " It is difficult to understand why funds for public transport are being cut when taxes — which provide the subsidies — have been increased. If an efficient system is to survive, the Government must be made to see the benefit of giving its full support."

Deputations to Mr Ron Ellis, managing director of Leyland Truck and Bus, and to Mr Gerald Kaufman at the Department of Industry were made during the past year to try to resolve the difficulties of new bus and spare parts supply, states the report. They raised with Mr Ellis the premature failure of some 1,200 Daimler Fleetline gearboxes and also engine failures on AEC Swift buses.

While the vehicle shortage continued to trouble London Transport the LTPC recommended that in the short term, bus schedules should be reduced to match more closely the staff and buses available and to make every effort to in form passengers when services were being cut. The committee reported some success in getting London Transport to follow these recommendations; however this was only on a few routes and without publicity on bus stops.

Efforts by London Transport to buy or hire additional vehicles to counter the vehicle shortage were commended by the committee — even though the hire plans were frustrated by staff opposition in most cases.

Major changes in bus services should be preceded by press advertising to allow passenger suggestions to be considered in time for their requirements to be incorporated in the service, said the report.

Changes in bus design to make for easier passenger entrance were welcomed by the committee. "The low-step heights were also considered to be one of the most attractive features of the new B15 double-deckers," said the report. It also welcomed the reduced-step heights on the Bristol LH buses which would soon replace the RF vehicles.


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