Safeguard rural services says BCC
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SS-SUBSIDY should be retained to help protect rural bus serI, the Bus and Coach Council claimed this week.
says this in The Country lid Miss the Bus, the second Dr report in the present BCC Dnal publicity and public re ■ ns campaign. The report outlines the case for continued support to ensure the survival of rural bus services as well as describing some recent innovative types of rural services.
It asks the Government to recognise the imbalance in the division of resources between rural areas and the rest of the nation and the key role of transport in the existence of rural communities.
It asks that the true economic value of the bus be assessed in relation to the social and econo mic cost to the community of its withdrawal. In the absence of proper economic assessment, the report contends that operators must be allowed to continue the option of crosssubsidisation.
It also states that operators should take into account existing local networks being encouraged to develop new services to suit local needs.
It asks for Government support in buying more convenient and effective vehicles, facilities and fare systems and says that this can increase passenger usage.