§ Mr. Roger Kingasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will compile and make available to interested parties a list of the procedures to be adopted, including the requirements on bus stops, timetabling, fare structures and concessionary passes, vehicle maintenance, any financial incentives available and the names and addresses of all relevant authorities for a new entrant wishing to provide an innovatory bus service; if he will include in the list any difference in procedure as between
Passenger journeys millions 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984*
1984–85† 1985–86‡ Bus 1,423 1,373 1,301 1,234 1,183 1,080 1,042 1,090 1,160 1,160 1,150 Underground 546 546 569 594 559 541 498 563 651 672 750 * Calendar year † Fiscal year ‡ Provisional Projected figures for future years are not available.
§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether there are any plans to introduce onto London Underground trains an intercom system for passengers to alert London Regional Transport staff if in danger.
§ Mr. David MitchellAn intercom system of this kind will be one of the features of the new prototype trains currently under construction and due to be tested in passenger service.
The need for such measures is also one of the questions being examined in the study of crime on the Underground.
§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many jobs have been lost both directly and indirectly as a result of London Buses Ltd. converting 426W areas formerly covered by the metropolitan county counties, shire councils and city-based transport systems; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what plans he has to promote the opportunities available for new entrants who wish to provide a bus service; if he will include in such plans advertising, a step by step guide including funds available and the procedures to be adopted in registering a service and the availability of promotional literature and booklets from Government bookshops, libraries and town halls; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe Department has already published a guide for bus operators on the new procedures introduced by the Transport Act 1985, and in particular the arrangements for registering services, which are the same for all areas outside London. It has also published a series of explanatory leaflets on different aspects of the 1985 Act, and it will shortly be making available a further leaflet on the opportunities for new bus operators, together with a booklet with more detailed information. I am sending my hon. Friend copies and all these publications can be obtained free from traffic area offices, or from the Department at 2 Marsham Street, London SW1. I believe that they provide most of the information mentioned by my hon. Friend, but I welcome suggestions as to what further steps we might take.