§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Rail on the arrangements for, and costs of, carrying bicycles and luggage by train(a) within the existing structure of the rail network and (b) after the introduction of franchising.
§ Mr. FreemanNone. At present this is a matter for British Rail. After privatisation, the Government believe that private sector operators will be keen to respond to passengers' demands, tailoring their services to make them more attractive and thus maximise fare revenue.
272Wmade to the traffic commissioners to run a new bus service; and how many were for new routes in each year since 1986 (a) by region and (b) in Great Britain;
(2) how many changes in bus services were registered with the traffic commissioners in each year since 1986 (a) by region and (b) in Great Britain.
§ Mr. FreemanThe number of registrations of new bus services and variations to services in Great Britain since 1986 are set out in the table. Details are not available on a regional basis, but are given for each traffic area office. Figures on the number of new routes are not available.