Government Unlikely to Give Go-ahead on Rural Transport Before the Election
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FROM OUR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
A LTHOUGH there is evidence that the r't drink problem on the roads and the Channel Tunnel are two matters that the Government is tackling in its last spurt of energy before the General Election, the question of rural bus subsidies still remains in the background. In fact, the issue does not seem to have yet reached the fringe of active Cabinet consideration, even though the Ministry of Transport has started talks with operators. It may yet receive Cabinet attention in conjunction with the Budget, but at present there is no certainty of a decision before the Election.
There is now a suggestion circulating that the final solution might be linked with the wider plans to reshape the licensing system. In this context, some M.P.s are considering the possibility of allowing the smaller bus operators to seek and satisfy wider markets, a move that would almost certainly bring a contraction in less-remunerative services carried by the larger operators.
On the other hand, some M.P.s are interested in the growing trend of people with their own transport helping out those who have none—often for a consideration— and are wondering if a little straightening out of the legal position might not foster this spirit, thus aiding transport problems in both the jampacked conurbations and remote rural areas.
Both these approaches seem to toy with the difficulties revealed so long ago by the Jack Committee. But the pilot surveys clearly showed a smaller degree of rural reliance on public transport than was expected, and this is causing some hesitation.