HC Deb 02 March 1999 vol 326 cc617-8W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to create additional passenger transport executives. [73172]

Dr. Reid

The power to establish PTEs was removed under s57 of The Transport Act 1985. The need for more PTA/Es was considered in the lead-up to the White Paper. PTA/Es were established because of the heavy reliance on public transport in the metropolitan conurbations outside London. They have co-operated closely with the metropolitan district councils (the highway authorities) to produce joint local transport strategies under the package approach.

Shires and Unitary Authorities have the same public transport powers as PTA/Es (except for the special duty which PTEs have for local rail services which reflects the high number of local rail services in the metropolitan areas). Shires and Unitaries are, therefore, ideally placed to produce integrated local transport plans for their areas.

The creation of additional Passenger Transport Executives would require primary legislation. The Government have no plans for any such legislation.