HORAM HINTS AT SUBSIDIES
Page 28
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
UNPROFITABLE bus operations may be subsidised, in future, by the Department of Transport.
Under Secretary of State at the DTp John Horam has hinted that Government attitudes towards bus deficits are softening and that local authorities may no longer have to keep on raising fares to cover rising costs.
During a fact-finding tour of the North West he said: "We are anxious that fares should not increase as fast as they have in the last two or three years. Fares have more thandoubled and that is regrettable.
More money. .
"Our policy is to put more money into buses. We still expect local authorities to meet their targets in the public. expenditure plan.
"But we will try to shift money away from roadbuilding towards maintaining the level of support for publi transport," he said.
Then, Mr Horam went on t reiterate Government deter ruination not to give financia assistance to stop Merse tunnels toll charges spiralling "It is still Governmen policy that the benefits of th tunnels are so great it is righ that the travelling publii should pay for them," he sail after a meeting with Mersey side County Council leader and Merseyside Passenge Transport Executive.