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PTAs: A tale from four cities
Page 132
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• The setting up of Passenger Transport Authorities as proposed in the Transport Bill is viewed with "grave concern" by the transport committees for Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham. And they have made their point in a letter handed last week to Mr. Richard Marsh, Minister of Transport. All four corporations have asked to meet Mr. Marsh.
The letter, sent by the transport chairmen of the four corporations, states: "The major municipal transport authorities in the conurbations for Manchester, Merseyside, Tyneside and West Midlands
areas view with grave concern the proposals in the Transport Bill for the setting up of
Passenger Transport Authorities, and in particular the Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham Corporations request the opportunity of meeting you.
"The four authorities consider the Minister should make a realistic appraisal of
the proposals contained in the Bill, and it is felt that transport policy cannot be considered in isolation from such matters as land use, highways and traffic management.
"They do not, therefore, accept the principle that the proposed PTAs should neces sarily be constituted as operational bodies owning the assets of the municipal transport undertakings.
"This is entirely illogical if the PTAs will not take over the assets of the large com pany operators, who will continue to operate under the umbrella of the National Bus Company.
"The four authorites feel that if PTAs are to be established, their first action should he to prepare a plan for the organization of transport in the area, and until this plan is completed there should be no change in ownership or operation of municipal fleets.
"We consider that it is only logical for the Minister further to amend the Bill to provide for a plan to be prepared by the PTAs in advance of any organization.
"If, however, the Minister is unwilling to accept this proposal, then we feel that at least there should be a public inquiry at which an impartial assessment can be made of our views."