§ 2. Mr. MacShaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that major urban centres form part of the national bus service network. [4003]
§ The Minister for Railways and Roads (Mr. John Watts)The Government are keen to encourage bus use, and are working actively with operators and local 4 authorities on measures to this end, notably through the bus working group and through support for local transport schemes designed to promote bus travel. There is already an extensive network of bus and coach services serving major urban centres. Specific additions to the network are primarily for the commercial judgment of operators.
§ Mr. MacShaneI thank the Minister for his reply. He will be aware that a spanking new bus interchange, one of the finest in Europe, has recently opened in Rotherham, but it is not connected to any of the national bus networks. The answer is always that it is a matter for commercial judgment or local subsidies. I understand that; but is the Minister aware that, if many towns the size of Rotherham are isolated from the national bus network, that drives more and more people into their cars? Is he aware that, as a result, the traffic jams into London sometimes start at junction 31 in South Yorkshire because people are obliged to use their private cars, as, under deregulation, buses do not operate within a national network to serve leading metropolitan borough centres such as Rotherham?
§ Mr. WattsIf the hon. Gentleman cares to consult the Great Britain bus timetable, he will find that 16 different bus services link Rotherham with other towns in the region and that there is a daily coach service between London and Rotherham. There are yet more frequent services between London and Sheffield, which is a half-hour bus ride from Rotherham.
§ Mr. WattsI cannot remember the precise figure off hand, but my hon. Friend is quite right to draw attention to the substantial orders recently placed by Stagecoach and other private sector companies.