Let's get Southampton moving
Congestion, the Local Transport Bill and the reason for the Tory cuts
13th December 2007
A few weeks ago, the government announced the biggest ever upgrading of railways in and out of Southampton.. This will enable all future standard containers to be transported to the docks by train, which in addition to securing Southampton’s future as a major trade hub for the south, will also take thousands of lorries off our already busy roads.
But while measures like this will ease congestion, alone they will not be enough. By 2015 traffic congestion across the UK will increase by over a quarter, with 80% of that increase being in cities like Southampton.
A key element in avoiding getting closer and closer to gridlock is to make public transport more frequent, stable and punctual. Part of achieving that is proper funding- but another big part is giving councils the power to ensure a quality service from bus operators. That is why the Local Transport Bill currently going through Parliament is so important.
Ever since the Thatcher government deregulated buses in 1985, it has been very difficult to ensure bus companies provide a joined-up, reliable service. Southampton is a good example. The city is split between 3 major bus companies- and if you buy a ticket from one company, say First, you cannot then use it on another. There is very little co-ordination from the Council on the overall network of bus services, with less profitable routes increasingly facing the axe.
Under provisions in the new Local Transport Bill, Councils will be able to institute ‘quality contracts’ with bus companies, under which they can require that companies maintain a spread of routes, and that once those routes are agreed, they stay agreed. Councils would also get new powers to ensure punctuality, and could require bus companies to offer a travel card or ticket valid on all bus services, including those run by their competitors.
If implemented properly, this Bill could signal a massive improvement in the quality of public transport across the UK. Which is why it is such a tragedy that the Conservative-run Southampton City Council is choosing this time to further slash local bus services.
Under the Conservatives’ proposals, the 5A evening service will be axed, along with school routes and the popular City-Loop, which serves the hospital.
And just as the government is funding the introduction of free nationwide travel for all the Conservatives want to reduce the number of hours pensioners can use their bus pass for, and to make it harder for disabled people to qualify for a free pass at all.
Why then doing it? The Conservatives need to find a way to pay for their proposed 10% Council Tax discount for pensioners and special constables. I support the principle of diverting more help to those who do have difficulty paying their Council Tax bills (and have argued publicly for reforms to make Council Tax fairer). But the reality is that this particular discount, which as the Echo reported 50% of OAPs will not even be eligible for, will be paid for by cuts in services used predominantly by all pensioners- a clear example of giving with one hand while taking away with the other.
The real tragedy is that just as the government is taking the steps to oil the wheels that will get our city moving, the Conservatives are poised to slash the tires. Every pensioner, every commuter, every parent on the school run, has an interest in making sure they don’t succeed.
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