§ 9. Mr. Colin Challen (Morley and Rothwell) (Lab)When he intends to publish the results of the consultation on reducing the 21-month minimum waiting period for implementing a bus quality contract scheme. [179617]
§ The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Alistair Darling)We are considering the responses to the consultation, and we will be announcing its outcome shortly.
§ Mr. ChallenI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, because anything that brings closer the day when we have better bus services will be very welcome. Is he aware that I often receive complaints from my constituents, in unparliamentary language, about the quality of some of our local bus services, particularly in my local villages? Recently, one bus service was removed to improve the service to another village—robbing Peter to pay Paul. We need to investigate how to improve bus services. Will my right hon. Friend be willing to meet me when I have completed my local bus transport survey, to discuss its results?
§ Mr. DarlingMy hon. Friend and other Members on both sides will agree that bus services are working quite well in some areas, where we have seen an increase in patronage and the services are satisfactory. In other areas, however, there have been difficulties. As I have said before, we are looking at those matters and will come forward with proposals in due course. I am firmly of the view that we should try to build on what works, then make adjustments to deal with aspects that do not work, rather than go back to the drawing board.