§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the assertion by the Highways Agency in the Written Answer by Lord Whitty on 22 April (WA 167) that the bus, coach and taxi lane between Junction 3 and the elevated section of the M.4 motorway will reduce the operating costs of buses, coaches and taxis, whether the operators of those services between central London and Heathrow Airport have as a result agreed to reduce fares. [HL2296]
§ Lord WhittyOperators of the bus and coach services between central London and Heathrow Airport have not indicated whether they will reduce fares following the introduction of the bus lane on the M.4 eastbound carriageway between Junction 3 and the elevated section. However, improved operating conditions as a result of the bus lane are likely to be among the factors they will take into account in their decisions on fare levels.
Taxi fares are controlled and will depend on the distance and time for each journey. There is no special tariff for fares between Heathrow Airport and central London.