Labour’s Passenger Power
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Michael Dugher, has launched the Labour Party’s new bus campaign: Passenger Power. The stated aim of the scheme is to put communities and passengers in control of local bus services, handing powers to local communities to save bus routes. Michael said the next Labour Government will legislate to give greater control over local bus services to cities and county regions. Through the ability to determine routes, set fares and integrate bus services with other forms of public transport, he claimed local areas will be able to provide better services at one clearly understood price.
Michael said, ‘Local bus services are the lifelines of our communities. Whilst the bus companies are coining it in, local bus routes are being slashed and this Government says everything is fine. The bus market is clearly broken and the way local services are provided is not fit for purpose. Labour will stand up for passengers by changing the way things work to hand all English regions London-style powers over local bus services. This will ensure communities get the local bus services they need.’