Department for Transport
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Bus passengers to be championed by watchdog
Ruth Kelly, Transport Secretary, today announced the creation of the first official national bus passenger champion to actively represent the millions of people who use buses in the towns, villages and cities across England.
Passenger Focus will widen its remit to take on the new role of bus passenger champion.
The decision follows a public consultation on taking forward the measures in the Local Transport Bill to give bus passengers an influential and unified national voice for the first time. The Local Transport Bill will give local authorities greater powers to improve bus services, making it easier for them to franchise local services and work closely in partnership with bus operators.
Ruth Kelly said:
"Passenger Focus already does a great job representing rail passengers across the country. Now it will also champion the interests of bus users, making sure their voices are heard and influencing the way local bus services operate.
"Buses are an essential means of transport for many people, and are increasingly the transport of choice for many others. Two thirds of all public transport journeys are now made by bus, amounting to nearly five billion bus journeys every year.
"This follows the Government doubling its investment in buses, which now stands at £2.5bn, as well as strengthening the powers available to help councils improve local buses.
"Along with the creation of a national voice for bus passengers, these changes will help bus users everywhere get the service they deserve."
Notes to Editors
1. The consultation "Options for strengthening bus passenger representation" ran from December 4 to March 17. An analysis of the Department's response is published today on the DfT website at http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/buspassenger/
2. The Local Transport Bill includes provisions which would enable the Secretary of State, in secondary legislation, to confer additional functions relating to buses and coaches on the existing Rail Passengers Council (Passenger Focus).
3. Passenger Focus will continue to represent rail passengers throughout Great Britain. It would represent bus users in England, outside London. London transport users are represented by the statutory London Travelwatch committee(http://www.londontravelwatch.org.uk). Scotland has a Public Transport Users Committee and Wales is in the process of implementing one.
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Department for Transport
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