§ 7. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to the average increase in bus fares since 1979; what information he has as to the likely trend in bus fares in South Yorkshire in 1986–87; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe average increase in bus fares nationally since 1979 has been 84 per cent. In the same period, South Yorkshire county council has chosen to place the entire burden of mounting costs on its ratepayers rather than increase fares for passengers. Future bus fare levels in South Yorkshire will be a matter for the passenger transport authorities and for bus operators.
§ Mr. HardyIs the Minister aware that when the Secretary of State announced his bus policy, he offered the House the firm prospect of better services and lower fares? Will not the result of Government policy be to push up fares in South Yorkshire by such an enormous amount that it will imperil our services?
§ Mr. MitchellSouth Yorkshire county council has pursued a high subsidy policy, which has meant that there has been no rise in fares for 10 years. Where a subsidy policy has been followed in that way there have been high rates, with all the consequences of that on employment and business, and the damage that it does to the community.
§ Mr. ParrisDoes my hon. Friend agree that if politicians in South Yorkshire insist on increasing bus fares at one jump as a political gesture, instead of 760 gradually, as the professional busmen on South Yorkshire passenger transport want, it would be a cruel and unnecessary abuse of South Yorkshire's passengers?
§ Mr. MitchellMy hon. Friend is right. The professional advice that must have been received by politicians in South Yorkshire is that they should already have started a gradual increase to carry their passengers with them. If they decide to play politics, the result will be a sharp rise in fares, a loss of passengers, and a consequent loss of jobs for those employed in the bus undertaking.