§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what improvements to services and changes in passenger numbers have resulted from bus subsidies paid in each of the past four years. [51283]
§ Ms KeeblePublic financial support for bus services has helped to maintain service levels and passenger numbers by reducing operators' costs and subsidising services which are not commercially viable, including some 1,800 new or enhanced rural services supported by Rural Bus Subsidy Grant introduced in 1998. Funding has also provided for concessionary fares for pensioners and a number of other groups and helped operators to achieve high levels of investment in new vehicles.
Passenger numbers on local bus services have remained relatively stable over the past four years after a long period of decline and rose by 1 per cent. in England in 2000–01. This includes some 17 million passenger journeys made on services supported by Rural Bus Subsidy Grant.
The overall position on service levels and passenger numbers in England over the past four years for which figures are available is as follows:
565W
Million Operated kilometers Passenger numbers 1997–98 2,142 3,773 1998–99 2,166 3,719 1999–2000 2,129 3,732 2000–01 2,147 3,761 We are setting up a review of bus subsidy mechanisms to ensure that they contribute as effectively as possible to the achievement of our objectives.
Bus subsidies in Wales are a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.