Metro Meeting

Many readers may have seen the long campaign by residents on Bruntcliffe Road to improve the bus services along the A650 and along Fountain Street. The campaign has taken many years and has been the subject of several public meetings and meetings with the local MP without making much progress.

Bus deregulation in the 1980s has allowed bus companies to exploit passengers and deliver the bus services that make them the most profit. There has been little attention paid to the social needs of local residents and profits have been put before people as the bus companies have thrived and become cash rich. Successive Governments have failed to regulate the buses and the Bus Companies have had a field day!

Many of us have called for the re-regulation of the bus companies for many years. This is secretly supported by many councillors of all political persuasions many of whom disagree with the position of their National Parties on the matter.

Last week Metro voted to introduce Quality Bus Contracts. This is a form of re-regulation which will give Metro the power to compel bus companies to deliver services for the public good. This can only be a good thing and was at the back of our minds when we me with Metro Chairman Cllr James Lewis earlier today. Cllr Lewis was sympathetic to our case and will use Metros increased influence to try and solve this long term problem and return the much needed bus services serving Bruntcliffe Road and Fountain Street.

The bus companies receive public subsidy of around £70 million. Its about time we had some say on the services they deliver. Lets hope this new regime delivers for local bus users.