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Ridley retorts

25th May 1985, Page 20
25th May 1985
Page 20
Page 20, 25th May 1985 — Ridley retorts
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

PRIVATE operations will fill the gaps left behind when the National Bus Company withdraws from supported services, Transport Secretary Nicholas Ridley argued last week.

In a statement issued as the NBC annual report was published, Mr Ridley commented that NBC's withdrawal from routes would "open the door" to other operators and new entrants who would compete for tenders.

He instanced the experience in Norfolk where the county council paid private operators 050,000 for services which NBC needed i:500,000 to run.

NBC chairman Robert Brook said last week that his managers would register substantially fewer services than they operate at present, once deregulation takes effect next year, so that they could protect their viable core of services from competitive intrusion.

But Mr Ridley said that NBC was wrong to claim that the public would lose part of its service. It had overlooked the substantial improvements in productivity which would follow deregulation.

Mr Brook said last week that charges of lack of innovation in providing bus services could not be levelled at NBC.

NBC developed the publicly applauded National Express network and is now busy expanding the Rapide quality operations to serve more than 200 destinations, with real-time computer booking facilities for agents.

And NBC had the courage to invest in substantial minibus operations, he continued.

NBC had carried out the largest passenger research exercise ever mounted, and now seeks a reserved track into Central London for all coach users.

Mr Brook concluded that NBC is "no moribund dinosaur of popular political fiction" but "an innovative, integrated and profitable group-.

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Locations: London

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