§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what(a) guidance has been given to local authorities and (b) legislation is in place covering (i) uncompetitive practices, (ii) improving integration and timetabling, (iii) regulation and de-regulation and (iv) quality partnerships for local bus services; and if he will make a statement. [66004]
§ Mr. JamiesonMy Department's guidance to local authorities on Local Transport Plans covers many of these matters. It emphasises the need for bus policies and provision to be integrated with other transport policies and encourages through-ticketing, better connections and co-ordination of services. Good practice guidance partnerships and on public transport interchange have been produced on our behalf by consultants. The Office of Fair Trading will shortly be issuing guidance on the ticketing schemes block exemption and the application of the competition test contained in the Transport Act 2000, for the benefit of both local government and bus operators.
The relevant legislation is Part II of the Transport Act 2000. chapter I of Part I of the Competition Act 1998 and the Competition Act 1998 (Public Transport Ticketing Schemes Block Exemption) Order 2001 (SI 2001 No. 319). Other legislation on the regulation of buses is in the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 and the Transport Act 1985.