Howells of protest
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TRANSPORT SECRETARY David ware of the public's need for bus tion of Metropolitan Authorities, After a meeting between the AMA and Mr Howell in London this week, Alec Waugh, chairman of South Yorkshire's passenger transport committee, said the Association had been used merely as a consultation bureau rather than as an organisation trying to advise the Department of Transport on the best interests of the community.
He complained that Mr Howell was being "undemocratic". "We asked for details of his decisions. At the moment we have nothing in writing and no further details." We were only offered consultation on the mechanics. We Howell is unsympathetic and unaservices, according to the Associareports TIM COBB.
will not be asked to comment on the legislation side," he said, talking of the proposed cash limits on revenue support.
The AMA felt the Government was attacking local authorities and transport facilities. If power was taken away from the AMA, the general public would no longer have a say in the running of public transport, he said.
"The DTp was not thinking of the overall costs to the community as a whole," Mr Waugh continued. "Public transport allows the community to travel and use the shops and markets. Without this, the shops will lose out." The AMA called for "equality of treatment", although it seemed to the Association that there was none.
In reply to the AMA's remarks, a spokesman for the DTp said: "Mr Howell told the Association that there had been a great deal of concern about two major issues on public transport over the last year."
"We are establishing what is a reasonable level of subsidy, and the efficiency of public transport undertakings."
These proposals had two main objectives, the spokesman said. First, to clarify the law on what was a reasonable level of subsidy, and second to provide a sensible and stable framework for future planning.
Mr Howell made clear that he was in favour of a reasonable level of subsidy and that under the forthcoming Bill he would examine proposals from the authorities and transport executives on the guidelines as to what amount of subsidy he considered reasonable.
Under the new legislation it would be completely lawful for authorities to pay up to the guideline. Although it would not be unlawful to pay more, authorities would be open to challenge if they over-stepped the guideline amount.
The AMA will decide later this week on its next plan of campaign against the Government's proposals.