HC Deb 14 July 1986 vol 101 cc673-4
13. Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest available figures he has for bus usage in London.

Mr. David Mitchell

Provisional figures for 1985–86 show that some 1,150 million passenger journeys were made on all bus services operated for London Regional Transport.

Mr. Banks

Is it true that there has been a 10 per cent. decline in passenger mileage during the past 12 months? Why, when the London regional passenger committee, road users, bus travellers, bus drivers and the unions oppose the extension of one-person operated buses on the grounds that they lead to more traffic congestion and longer delays in journey times, do the Government insist on extending one-person operated buses throughout London?

Mr. Mitchell

As is so often the case, the hon. Gentleman is misinformed. London's buses now carry more passengers than they did in 1982 and 1983, and only 0.9 per cent. fewer than in 1984.

Mr. Banks

I was talking about this year.

Mr. Mitchell

These are the latest figures that I have. About 70 per cent. of buses are one-man operated. That figure is planned to increase to 74 per cent. by March 1987, but each stage is appraised on its merits. It is a management matter, not a Government decision.

Mr. Squire

Will my hon. Friend confirm, contrary to the impression created by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks), that many of the late GLC'S fears about bus services have proved groundless and that, since the disbandment of the GLC, LRT has been much more responsive to the needs of passengers? Is he aware that LRT is examining the possibility of providing minibuses and other variations which were not considered by the GLC?

Mr. Banks

Rubbish.

Mr. Mitchell

As my hon. Friend rightly said, this is only part of a national regime in which we are witnessing a considerable increase in innovation and initiative. As for LRT, professional management and improved efficiency have meant that revenue support has halved. The result is a lower burden on London ratepayers, for which I am sure they will be grateful.

Mr. Simon Hughes

Will the Minister look again at a matter to which I have brought his attention before—bus services in the docklands of London? He will know that there is grave discontent at the reduction in services, at enormous delays and often missing buses. It is an area of growing population. The Government say that the docklands are being redeveloped. It is no use, however, if they are redeveloped but there are fewer bus services to enable people to get around. Will the Minister please reexamine that, and can we have a better service?

Mr. Mitchell

The hon. Gentleman draws attention to the increasing population in the docklands, in regard to which I know he will welcome the Government's activities. I shall pass his comments on to the management of LRT.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Will the Minister consider the facts rather than the theory? Is it not a fact that, in certain areas of London, such as Stepney and Poplar, services are being cut? When asked why, local management says that it is overspending its budget and cannot afford to keep services going. Ministers set the budget for LRT, and it is then shared out. Is it not time that we had a re-examination of what is happening, instead of boasting about how much support is being provided, when funding is being cut at the expense of passengers, who desperately need bus services?

Mr. Mitchell

London Bus Ltd. is seeking to match supply and demand more closely. That means that in some areas where there is not much demand there are reductions, whereas in other areas there is an increase. Additional routes are being put into operation. It is just not the case that overall there is more than a very marginal reduction.