BCC backs 'red routes'
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• The Bus and Coach Council has welcomed the package of improvements for transport in London. including a 485km (300-mile) priority route system proposed by Transport Secretary Cecil Parkinson.
Stopping, loading and parking will be severely restricted on most major roads in central London, nearly all of which carry intensive bus services.
A pilot scheme is to start in the summer and the network will be managed by a traffic director.
At the same time, buses are to be given a boost, but no details have yet been released.
The Bus and Coach Council says that the red route proposals are similar to ideas that it has been putting forward for sonic time, and they should be backed with proper enforcement of bus lanes. If successful, similar red-route schemes may be introduced in other cities.
London Regional Transport warmly welcomed the proposals, saying that illegal parking is the largest single cause of unreliable bus services.
A set of proposals to en courage the bus industry has been put forward by the Bus and Coach Council in a prebudget submission to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The Council is calling on the Chancellor to retain fuel duty rebate for bus services (see CM 30 Nov-6 Dec).
It also supports the Government's stance on retaining a zero rate for VAT on public transport fares. It also wants the Chancellor to consider introducing tax relief on commuter season tickets and travel passes.