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Fowler taken to task for 'reckless haste'
Page 7
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CONFEDERATION of British Road Passenger Transport president Ian Cunningham has hit out at the Government's "reckless haste" in changing road service licensing — and criticised CM in the process.
He told delegates at CPT's Bournemouth conference last week that Transport Minister Norman Fowler's plans for relaxed regulations will worsen the overall service to the public.
And he added: "We read in the press that there is going to be a Laker of the bus lines.
"We all admire the swashbuckling Sir Freddie, but British Airways is abandoning 20 of its routes. Is that not because of cut-price competition?"
He warned: "CPT will not take the blame for cuts in services which will flow from Mr Fowler's plans."
Vice-president Ron Whittle told the conference that some areas of the country could lose their services altogether. "Rural areas could be hit hardest," he added.
He said that community buses were an answer to some rural communities' needs. But these were operating now thanks to the assistance and expertise of existing operators.
The operators might not have the time or finance available to support such schemes in a changing climate.
• See also conference report p.26.