§ Dr. Michael ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he proposes to take concerning bus priority measures in response to the Bus and Coach Council's document "Buses Mean Business".
§ Mr. FreemanI welcome the Bus and Coach Council's initiative "Buses Mean Business". A working group under my chairmanship will be established immediately to consider ways in which buses and coaches can contribute towards easing congestion and improving the environment. We shall shortly be inviting representatives from the Bus and Coach Council and from local authority associations to participate in this group.
We shall also invite local authorities to consider what bus priority measures might be appropriate in their areas and, if suitable schemes are put forward, we would hope to allocate appropriate resources for that purpose in 1992–93. Examples of such schemes could include green routes, which comprise a series of bus priority features such as dedicated bus lanes and priority at junctions for buses; park and ride schemes; and schemes to improve passenger facilities and the provision of information technology. The working group will also look at the potential for both the trolleybus and the guided bus.
We are also considering how best to promote environmentally friendly buses. As a first step we are undertaking a preliminary survey of the relative merits and long term potential of alternative fuels.