Bus services 'need improvement'

Only in London are passenger numbers rising

Transport authorities in some of Britain's biggest cities are demanding new powers to ensure private bus operators improve their services.

A report published on Thursday shows planners are unable to force companies to run more frequent services.

Passenger numbers are stagnant outside London, meaning the government will miss its targets to increase bus use.

The report was carried out for planners who oversee buses in seven urban areas around Britain.

The government wants to increase bus use by 12% but ministers are likely to miss that target everywhere except London, where buses are undergoing a well-funded renaissance.

The report suggests the planners cannot improve services because they have few powers over the private bus companies.

Executives have been unable to get extra buses introduced despite legislation introduced a few years ago.

Poor service

Lobbyists in favour of improved bus services away from the capital claim that those who cannot afford a car are often the ones who suffer.

Jonathan Bray, from the Passenger Transport Executive Group, said the cost of bus tickets was rising at a rate faster than the cost of motoring.

He said the bus market outside London was open to anyone with limited regulation, which often meant passengers were getting unreliable services.

"That is obviously not attracting passengers in any numbers," Mr Bray added.