Why Are Labour Threatening Local Bus Services?
Thursday 15 July, 2010
Brussels -- Local and regional bus services should not be subject to the same passenger compensation rules as major airlines.
Under new EU plans - voted for by Labour MEPs - local rural bus services would be liable to pay compensation for the delays or cancellations. In theory it's right that they should, but the levels of compensation that the EU is keen to introduce are totally disproportionate. If the measures go through it's likely some service operators will scale back on some routes. It could lead to some services being withdrawn altogether.
As an MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber I am really worried by the scope of this regulation - I just don't think it's necessary for it to cover local and regional bus services. I have no problem with paying compensation for tardy or inferior service but we have our own rules on the amounts to be paid, which Europe should not interfere with.
I am in favour of cross-border coaches falling under the same passenger rights rules as other transport modes, but imposing this upon local services, many of them run by small operators, is just ridiculous.
It will raise costs to our small scale operators, many of whom provide a vital services into and out of our rural areas. These costs will be passed on to travellers. Far from improving service, it will hinder it and push many operators to say that the liabilities no longer make the service viable.
Being stuck behind a tractor or getting a flat tyre cannot be equated to some of the factors that affect air travel delays. I call on Labour MEPs to explain why they think threatening local businesses and customers who rely on these services is a good idea.
In 2008 I accompanied Howard Handley, Chairman of the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group (YDPTUG) to discuss the difficulties faced on rural bus routes in the region. At the time he told me: "There is an assumption that everyone has a car and therefore we don't need buses. However, there are a great number of people who perhaps due to age or infirmity do not have an alternative means of transport and rely on local bus services."
