I'll axe services if councils control buses, says Souter

Published on Thursday 28 September 2006 11:52

THE owner of Scottish bus company Stagecoach has said he would axe his services in British cities if control of public transport is handed over to local councils.

Brian Souter reportedly warned colleagues and politicians that he would rather sell off his bus depots to housing developers or supermarkets than be dictated to by local authorities.

The transport tycoon's comments came after Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander yesterday said he would give councils power to control aspects of public travel such as bus fares, routes and timetables in a bid to improve passenger numbers and services.

He said he wanted to end the "free for all" that currently exists among private bus operators.

Speaking at Labour's Manchester conference, Mr Alexander said councils and bus operators worked well together in some instances but too many communities suffered from failing bus services.

He said: "In the weeks ahead I will bring forward proposals to change the way buses are run in this country. You know and I know that in too many of our communities we have seen a free for all that has left the needs of the public behind.

"So to ensure the private sector delivers the bus services our communities demand I will act to empower local communities."

In London - the only place in the UK where buses are under public control - passenger numbers are performing well, while elsewhere in the UK they are dropping. But Stagecoach has sold its London bus franchises.