Dereg problems
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• The new bus network emerging from deregulation seems likely to save money in revenue support, Bus and Coach Council conference delegates were told at Harrogate last week. The real test, however, would come with the full relaxation in January, not on the October 26 deregulation day.
Dr Bill Clough of the Transport and Road Research Laboratory said there appeared to be overregistration by some
operators. This could lead to withdrawals of service in January, and counties might not then have funds left to provide replacement services under contract.
John Glover, chairman of the Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers, said that many fears expressed earlier were not being fulfilled, at least for the present. A straw poll of 20 counties and regions this month showed that 45% expected support costs to be reduced; 40% greatly reduced and 15% increased. Service levels would remain the same in 65%, while 20% would be worse off and 15% improved.
Child fares and publicity were top of the list of problems. Bus operators were hastening to withdraw child laces they provided commercially, but although legislation allowed it, counties were not anxious to enter schemes to preserve them. They could find themselves paying full adult rate for babesin-arms carried free by operators, said Glover.