Klependent charter
Page 16
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given a better chance against ider the new transport ariements to cover London, eators will be able to apply to Traffic Commissioners for a I service licence if they do want to operate the service igreement with the public sport authority.
ansport Secretary Tom King eiled the Government's s to take away control of don Transport from the ater London Council on ;day. As recommended by House of Commons transcommittee last year, it is to in by a ministerially-appoinluango, to be called London onal Transport.
the Government's White m, Mr King proposes to take rve powers to be able to LRT, as the select commitDroposed, responsibility for 31-1 Rail commuter services in .ondon area as well.
e White Paper agrees with :ommittee that public trans in London has become !bier over the years even gh subsidies to London sport have risen 13 times T than inflation between and 1982.
rer the same period, unit ; in operating bus services by more than two-thirds in terms per bus mile. During time bus usage has fallen by 3r cent, even though LT bus ations still cater for more 1,000m journeys a year.
LRT will be expected to improve bus services in London within the resources available, as well as encourage the greater involvement of the private sector to provide services.
One of the key points is that the new quango will be expected to sell off some of its bus operations.
"The bus and Underground subsidiaries will have power to divide their operations into further subsidiaries; this will be particularly relevant to the bus business. LRT will be able to dispose of any of these further subsidiaries subject to the consent of the Secretary of State."
At the moment, bus services can only be operated by London Transport or with its agreement. Under the Government's proposals LRT will only be responsible for approving services and changes by its own subsidiaries and by other operators who are operating under agreement with LT.
The select committee also urged that the new body should also be responsible for roads and traffic management. But Mr King has rejected this and has promised another White Paper later this year.
Under the new plans the Transport Secretary will determine the level of subsidy for bus and Underground services in the way that he already does for commuter rail services, while special arrangements will be made with the London boroughs to continue the concessionary fares scheme now run by the GLC.