HC Deb 19 April 1988 vol 131 cc401-2W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number of bus services registered as from 26 January 1987 and the numbers of services discontinued since that date.

Mr. David Mitchell

The number of new bus services registered from 26 January 1987 was 6,930 and the number deregistered was 6,229.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is(a) the reduction in conventional bus service provision and (b) the increase in minibus service provision since (i) the implementation of the Transport Act 1985 and (ii) the implementation of full deregulation on 26 January 1987.

Mr. David Mitchell

Information is not available in the form requested. Since deregulation there has been a substantial growth in the number of minibuses which now represent some 10–15 per cent. of the vehicles used on local services. Passengers in over 250 areas are now benefiting.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department has assessed the effect on bus transport facilities for the disabled arising from the Transport Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Mitchell

The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, which was set up under the Transport Act 1985 to advise the Secretary of State, is

Precepts and Districts Share of total contribution Existing System (Community Charge)
1987–88 1986–87
Now CC Now CC
Greater Manchester
Passenger transport authority precept 12.96p (£78.8m)1 19.99p (£83.5m)1
District share of precept2
Percentage Percentage
Bolton 9 (10) 9 (10)
Bury 6 ( 7) 6 ( 7)
Manchester 23 (18) 23 (18)
Oldham 7 ( 8) 7 ( 8)
Rochdale 6 (8) 6 ( 8)
Salford 9 ( 9) 9 ( 9)
Stockport 12 (11) 12 (11)
Tameside 6 ( 8) 6 ( 8)
Trafford 11 ( 9) 12 ( 9)
Wigan 10 (12) 10 (12)
Merseyside
Passenger transport authority precept 28.48p (£67.)m1 44.88p (£81.5m)1
District share of precept
Percentage Percentage
Knowsley 11 (11) 11 (11)
Liverpool 35 (33) 35 (34)
St. Helens 12 (13) 12 (13)
Sefton 18 (20) 18 (20)
Wirral 23 (23) 23 (23)
South Yorkshire
Passenger transport authority precept 34.21p (£46.1m)1 44.07p (£59.3m)1
District share of precept
keeping in close touch with the impact of the Act on the transport needs of disabled people. The Act places a duly on local authorities, in the provision of bus services, to have regard to the transport needs of the public who are disabled. In addition, section 106 of the Act enables local authorities to make grants for providing, maintaining or improving any vehicle, equipment or other facilities to facilitate travel by disabled people.