The move is on from rail to road
Page 21
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE first steps towards substituting bus services for rail services in remote rural areas have been taken by the Government.
Transport Secretary Nicholas Ridley has told MPs that legislation will be introduced "at the earliest opportunity" to allow British Rail to go ahead with the scheme.
Mr Ridley said it was not his intention that British Rail should embark on major route closures. But within that context he, nevertheless, shared the view of the All Party Transport Select Committee that there was a strong case for bus substitution. He had in mind situations where existing rail services were making substantial losses and where buses could provide a reasonable alternative at significantly lower costs.
He also agreed with the Select Committee that it was essential to give travellers confidence in the continuity of substitute services. He believed that British Rail should be responsible for their provision. "In short, I believe that any bus substitute service must be of good quality, attractive, guaranteed and — where necessary — subsidised."
British Rail chairman, Bob Reid, told Mr Ridley that he welcomed the idea. Any substitute bus services should be regarded as an integral part of the rail network and should be protected by a similar closure procedure.
Mr Ridley said that no substitute service could be introduced before the existing procedures for closing a railway line had been completed. Where it was proposing to close a rail line it would have to wake clear its intention to provide a bus service instead.
"If I were convinced that the
rail service was no longer justified And proposals for substitute bus services were justified, I would make them a condition of my consent to the closure."
Mr Ridley said that if the bus service could not be self supporting, it would be subsidised by the Government through the grant to British Rail.
Mr Ridley added that British Rail would be required to use contractors to provide the buses and to seek competitive tenders.
Mr Ridley said he accepted Mr Reid's suggestion that bus services should be protected by a similar closure procedure.