Labour bus policy failing - Brake

12.00.00am GMT Fri 24th Feb 2006

The Liberal Democrats today released the results of research which showed that, although many new bus services have been introduced since 1998, bus use outside London has actually been declining.

Commenting on the research, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Tom Brake MP, said "Labour has comprehensively failed to meet its targets for increased bus use outside London.

"The Government's policy of subsiding bus services, has actually led to fewer passengers getting on board.

"However, the results are not uniformly bad. Bus use in many Liberal Democrat controlled areas, such as York and Cambridge are experiencing growth through effective partnerships with bus operators.

"If Alistair Darling genuinely wishes to see more people getting out of their cars and on to buses, he must give local areas much greater flexibility and freedom over bus services."