Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to abolish the three-for-two rule on Ulsterbus buses used for the transport of school children. [39597]
§ Mr. MossThere are no plans to abolish the rule. However, under the Public Service Vehicle (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995, which came into operation on 24 January of this year, the three-for-two concession for buses no longer applies where seat belts are fitted.
Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to ensure that Ulsterbus is paid by the education and library boards only for passes which are used; and what plans he has to ensure that Ulsterbus is paid for each journey undertaken by schoolchildren with passes. [39598]
§ Mr. AncramThe current contractual arrangements whereby boards pay to Ulsterbus Ltd. an average sessional ticket price for pupils incorporates a reduction in the actual cost to reflect non usage. There are no plans to alter these arrangements.