§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with bus drivers concerning safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
§ Mr. FreemanThe safety of bus drivers and passengers is considered regularly by the standing panel on assaults on bus staff—STAB—which includes representatives of the bus industry, the unions and Government Departments. STAB's remit includes all forms of crime on buses including vandalism and attacks on passengers.
At a local level the traffic commissioner has powers to attach conditions to an operator's licence if a local service has been operated in a manner dangerous to the public. The traffic commissioner may also suspend or revoke a PSV driver's licence if the driver has been convicted of dangerous driving.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new measures he will introduce to improve bus road safety; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. FreemanBuses are the safest form of road passenger transport in this country. Regulations covering the safety of buses are kept under continuous review and can be amended as the need becomes apparent.