Bus giants 'put profits before people'

Bus cuts will affect deprived areas of Manchester

Bus operators have been accused of serving shareholders better than the public by the chair of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority.

Roger Jones launched the attack in response to a report detailing the latest series of service reductions and withdrawals.

The cuts will hit commuters in some of the most deprived areas of Greater Manchester, particularly on estates in Wigan, Salford and Bolton.

Mr Jones accused companies of withdrawing socially necessary services on the grounds that they are not "commerciallly viable".

Double the fare

Speaking after an emergency committee meeting of the authority, Councillor Jones said: "Week after week, bus services are being pulled, often from areas where people already experience high levels of social exclusion."

Roger Jones: "Companies serve their shareholders"

Mr Jones believes some operators deregister services in the expectation the authority will provide a financial subsidy for them.

He added: "Some operators, in the knowldege that they will be the only company bidding for a tendered service, are doubling their prices for renewed contracts to run subsidised services."

This means a company can rebid for a route and charge double the fares they previously asked for.

Public service

The Commerical Director for First Manchester buses, Russell Gard, said he was "stunned and astounded" at the comments.

He has asked for a meeting with Councillor Jones to find out why he has not spoken to the bus companies before making his thoughts public.

Mr Gard has defended First Manchester, saying it does live up to its public service commitments.

Meanwhile, the authority is looking at other ways of replacing bus services, such as shared taxi services and community-based transport.

It will also be lobbying MPs and ministers for changes in the way buses operate in order to reduce the influence of some companies.