MINIS COULD RAISE MAXI PROBLEMS FOR LOCAL BUSES

The author examines possible problems that may need to be faced by local bus operators if deregulation takes place according to the 1985 Transport Bill. Local bus service availability has a major effect on modal split and hence the level of traffic congestion and the demand for roads. Many rural communities and town centre shops depend on their bus services for their survival. The National Bus Company, which is to become privately owned, is buying more than 1200 minibuses this year, but no ordinary service buses. It is seen as a strategy designed to be flexible enough to be able to cope with the uncertainty of the future. Minibuses seem to be the ideal vehicle to be used to compete with routes operated by municipal operators and it is likely that some public-private partnerships are needed to reconcile competition between the two sectors. However, it is thought a period of instability and adjustment that may last several years will occur on deregulation, and it is unlikely that net costs will be reduced by one third because of the increased county revenue support needed. (TRRL)