§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the appropriate route mileage of bus services operated under the aegis of London Regional Transport which at current service levels(a) provides a surplus of revenue over running costs, (b) requires subsidy from other services and (c) is currently operated under contract where the contractor is a recipient of funds.
Mr. MitchellThe latest information available is that in LRT's annual business plan 1988–89
(a) (b) LRT forecast that 169 million bus miles have been operated during 1987–88 on their local services within Greater London. 154 million bus miles are in respect of services operated by London Buses Ltd., which has a forecast overall trading deficit of £125 million in 1987–88. It is not possible to say what proportion of the services currently provide a surplus of revenue over running costs.(c) LRT forecast that by the end of 1987–88 the annual equivalent of some 30 million bus miles will be operated under contracts involving payments to the operator. These include contracts secured by London Buses Ltd. in competitive tendering.