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Rate subsidies 'out'
Page 27
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in TPP policy change THE END of rate subsidies to keep bus fares low was predicted by Mr Douglas Crockford, deputy planning officer of Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive speaking at London University last week.
It was becoming clear, said Mr Crockford, that although the Department of the Environment favoured infrastructure grants to give buses priority, it had set its face against rate subsidies for low, uneconomic bus fares. This was a distinct shift of emphasis in assessing grants for bus services in PTE areas through the Transport Planning and Policies system.
"The bus is being brought back into prominence and being given a position of priority", continued Mr Crockford. Several main streets in Newcastle had become bus-only roads, including the shopping centre in Northumberland Street. Buses were now being given much easier access to housing estates by the designation of through routes for buses only.
Mr Crockford was more pessimistic about the relationship between the new county authorities and the PTEs. He felt that transport might suffer by being only one aspect of urban planning among all the county's other responsibilities.