Date published: 25/06/2006

Responding to the GMPTA'S call for control of bus services.  Rochdale MP and Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, Paul Rowen MP, said: "I back the GMPTA'S call for more control of bus services in Greater Manchester.  I surveyed many services last week during my 'bus survey' and a catologue of problems were reported and many more are pouring into my office daily - I will collate them when they are all in and send them to the GMPTA and bus pperators, they have already agreed to review the answers in an effort to improve bus services in Rochdale.  Buses have a major role to play in providing regular and reliable public transport services to our local communities.  Under the current system, popular routes such as the 17 are being prioritised with profit in mind and not the customer.  This has led to a 'cherry picking' of routes and the local transport needs of our communities are not being met.  Rochdale Council and the GMPTA should be allowed similar powers to Transport for London to licence and regulate bus services.  I think only then will we see a massively improved bus service and give Rochdale the first-class transport system it deserves."
 
Rowen also raised the issue in a debate in Westminster Hall this week, he said: "I raised this issue and a number of MP's were in favour of local authorities and the GMPTE having more control of bus services.  There us also a significant funding gap between London and the rest of the country and I think that should be bridged.  London get significantly more than anyone else in the country and that is not right.  I will continue to use my role as the Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson to speak up for buses, trains and other environmentally forms of transport in Greater Manchester."
 
Rochdale Borough Council Member of the GMPTE, Councillor Peter Davison, said: "I have had concerns over many bus services in Rochdale for many years.  As a frequent traveller, I have seen many services deteriorate.  I certainly think that if Rochdale Council and the GMPTA had more power over the bus operators then we would see the services improve.  I know that people in rural areas of the borough feel let down and in many cases isolated by poor bus services, it is high time that Bus Operators were forced to put people before the pound."