Is statutory regulation compromising the provision of high quality bus services?
More regulation is required not less. Some innovation of a positive kind has taken place. There is no reason to suppose however that this kind of innovation could not take place within a regulated framework. As NW TAR commented in the last LTP analysis, there are examples of good practice in responding to passenger needs after careful analysis. New services for which there is clear demand either from passengers or in order to promote more sustainable transport from an environmental perspective often need both very proactive promotion and a reasonable time to become ‘mainstream’. Co-ordinating this is more likely with more regulation. Competition still in some areas compromises road safety and passenger comfort as drivers compete for passengers. In town and city centres there is often inadequate parking up space. At bus stops, trying to get ahead can mean an unwillingness to align with the kerb to assist passengers with problems with mobility. Are priority measures having a beneficial e
