Doubts hang over Welsh bus operation
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Report says that big changes are needed
A GRIM FUTURE for bus operators in Wales is forecast in an independent report on the rural passenger transport needs of the area published last week. Radical changes are recommended, including the setting up of a Passenger Transport Authority.
The study was commissioned by the Welsh Council and carried out by the research staff of the University College of Wales. It says that unless the bus industry is able to change its pattern of operation "there may be doubts about its long-term future."
• Assuming labour cost increases of 18 per cent a year, fuel 15 per cent, materials 16 per cent and depreciation 10 per cent, the report says the total subsidy likely to be required for the bus industry in rural Wales could approach £5m in 1982 compared with £500,000 at present.
Even with this massive increase in support increased labour efficiency including more split-shift working and part-time labour would still be needed to prevent a large reduction in bus services, it is claimed.
The report recommends that where possible new bus services should be run by small operators and quotes costs per mile of between lip and 19p, compared with costs per mile in 1972 of between 17.2p and 31.2p for big operators.
The report says that the introduction of post buses, despite the problems, must be considered by more local authorities, but under no circumstances should they be allowed to compete with existing services.
The dial-a-bus system, at present under experiment in some areas, had a part to play, but the report concludes that the services may require fare levels too high for most sectors of the community to afford.
Rail services are given a hammering by the report which describes the benefits of railways as " intangible " and that in the present circumstances they do not provide the best type of public transport system.
Express buses
Railways are important to Wales, but are poorly patronised and cost a lot to run. A top quality express bus service could be provided for less than £500,000 which would be cheaper and accessible to far more people.
In evaluating the report the Welsh Council said it placed too much emphasis on the economics of transport operation and too much weight was given to the contribution which small local private bus operators, social car services and post office buses could make.
The results had to be set in the wider context of social need.
It would not be reasonable or practicable, on the basis of the report to contemplate any drastic revision of the basic network of routes operated either by the National Bus Company operators or British Rail.
But the Council agreed with the report in as much as there were undoubted areas in which greater bus /rail co-ordination might be achieved and where a degree of unprofitaible cc petition could be eliminated
PTA
A proposal in the rep that an organisation simi to the concept of Passenj Transport Authorities might established is considered the Council to merit fury] examination.
The Council firmly reject: suggestion in the report ti there is " no good case" further major improvement existing roads in rural Wal The study of rural Wales to be followed by a simi examination of the sit:mt.' in urban areas.