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Passenger collapse "imminent"

15th October 1976
Page 22
Page 22, 15th October 1976 — Passenger collapse "imminent"
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

UNLESS ACTION is taken now, the collapse of passenger transport is imminent, accordmg to Oxfordshire Transport operations planner Peter Ennor.

Speaking at the Transport and Road Research laboratory symposium on unconventional bus services, he said: "Bus operators, unions, government and local authorities have contributed to a spiral of decline.

"They have clutched at straws, the most recent and expensive measure being revenue support."

Mr Ennor claimed that compared with other industries which have responded to changing social habits by concentrating on markets where they have an advantage, the bus industry has reacted to the car with an ostrich-like attitude, pleading for outside assistance and protection. "It must make a bold decision now, abandon markets in which there is seen to be little future for public transport and concentrate on serving existing and potential markets to which bus services are particularly suited."

Deciding The best way of meeting people's requirements was to let them decide for themselves what they wanted, said Mr Ennor. The best value for money came from the minimum of conditions being imposed.

Mr Ennor said barriers to innovation like heavy government subsidy or the restrictive licensing system which had now outlived its usefulness should be ended.

Instead, all funds for local transport — including grants, fuel tax rebates and other subsidies — should be rechannelled through county councils and the "political" decisions on how transport is provided placed with the councils.

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