33. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the London Transport Board to include in the information given at bus stops in London, now mostly limited to the route and the time of the last services, the frequency of the service during rush hours and in the middle of the day.
§ Mr. GalbraithNo, Sir. Matters of this kind fall clearly within the London Transport Board's responsibility for management. In fact, I am informed 1275 by the Board that it is providing information, including an indication of frequency, at all stops in its central bus operating area where time-tables are not provided, and that it has already done so over most of Central London.
Mr. VaneIs my hon. Friend aware that when this is completed it will be very welcome? Is he aware that, with the deterioration of bus services and the great uncertainty which exists, it would be extremely convenient to arrive at a bus stop and know whether a bus was coming within five minutes, or within 25 minutes, which is not unusual at some periods during the day?
§ Mr. MellishIs the Minister aware that unless priority is given to bus services in central London—which, so far as I know, would mean legislation being enacted—surely such information given at bus stops would be quite irrelevant? How can the buses arrive on time at a given spot when the traffic congestion is such that the vehicles cannot get through?
§ Mr. GalbraithThat is an entirely different question.