John Denham and Councillor Richard Williams, the Labour Transport spokesperson on Southampton City Council, have both welcomed the Government’s new Local Transport Bill.

The Bill is currently making its way through the House of Lords and will allow local authorities to deliver locally tailored bus services and promote more effective partnership between local authorities and bus operators.  The Government is consulting on how to provide an influential voice for the bus passenger – a passengers’ champion.

Councillor Williams said “The Bill will allow greater flexibility to implement 'quality contracts' schemes and will provide a new regime to deliver better punctuality.  For the first time local authorities will be held to account as well as bus operators for their contribution to punctuality performance.”

John Denham said “This Bill emphasises the contrast between the Labour Government, which is ensuring free travel for the elderly and disabled and looking to improve public transport for all, and Southampton’s Conservative Councillors who are cutting buses and the concessionary travel scheme for the elderly and disabled.  Southampton needs a passengers’ champion and, in the light of the Conservative proposals, perhaps this should be a disabled or elderly person.”