§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, as a result of research commissioned or conducted by his Department on bus deregulation, he can provide details of (a)the average annual percentage increase in fares since deregulation and(b) the number of routes which have ceased to be served by buses.
§ Mr. PortilloBetween 1985–86 (the last full year prior to bus deregulation) and 1987–88, local bus fares in Great Britain rose at an annual rate of just under 8 per cent., as fares in metropolitan areas rose from previous very low levels. Data on route mileage are not compiled, but bus mileage had increased sharply, the bulk of it being operated commercially. Local authorities have the power to purchase additional non-commercial services in case of social need.