§ Lord Gainford asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ How many minibus services have been started up since deregulation of local authority buses in October 1986.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)My Lords, information is not available in the form requested but there has been a substantial growth in the number of minibuses used on local bus services since deregulation. At the end of the first full year of deregulation some 5,600 minibuses were serving 370 places compared with only 400 vehicles in 40 places before deregulation.
§ Lord GainfordMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that encouraging Answer. Has he any information about in which parts of the country these buses are noted for their service? Is there any information about the North-East of England?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, these new services are spread all over the country where minibuses are providing fast, frequent and popular services in both rural and urban areas including, I understand, Newcastle.
The Lord Bishop of ManchesterMy Lords, is the Minister aware that in many urban areas there is an impression that public transport— and bus transport in particular—has declined in quality? Many passengers do not know about the timetables and frequency of the buses. Some of these minibus routes, after making a start, have been taken off because they were not profitable.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, one of the benefits of deregulation is that these services can start up and serve the needs of the customer. I am surprised to hear the right reverend Prelate state that some services have been taken off. That may be the case, although overall the numbers are still increasing.
With regard to frequency and timetables, it is in the operators' interest to publicise their services. Local authorities have powers to publicise, and many are doing so.
§ Lord BeloffMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that there has been a great improvement in bus services in the two towns in which I live: Brighton and Oxford? This is very largely due to frequent and well-publicised minibus services.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that question which bears out what I have been saying. It is an example of how deregulation has made bus operators respond to the needs of the customer.
§ Lord UnderhillMy Lords, does the Minister appreciate that we are also pleased to see the development of the minibuses? They originally began with one of the subsidiaries of the National Bus Company before it was taken over as a result of privatisation. However, his answer to the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Manchester was rather disappointing. The big problem in many areas is still the lack of information about timetables and services. In many cases this responsibility falls on the county council. Some do it very well. However, the passenger transport authorities are the only bodies to carry out this job effectively. We were debating last night the problem of the possible secession and collapse of those authorities.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, we had a long debate on that matter at a very late hour last night. It does not seem very long ago! However, at the end of that debate the Committee decided that the Government's proposals were right.