MacKenzie A (Alan) From: Jes : 18 August 2013 13917 Bus Bil Subject: Response to consultation 1. Do you support the general aim of the proposed Bill? Please indicate “yes/no/undecided” and explain the reasons for your response. Yes - we know deregulation has failed, and that the bits of Scotland's bus network that work best have one operator with proper local government oversight. 2. What would be the main practical advantages of the legislation proposed? What would be the disadvantages? Bundling profitable and unprofitable routes together would protect the vital services under the most threat. The irony is that the safest routes are often those where there are the greatest number of alternatives. The main disadvantage is I see it as a bit unlikely fo happen, given the efforts that will be made by those with vested interests in the current arrangement, 3. In what ways do you envisage reregulation being used to improve bus services? In addition to the above, better community control. It's a public service, and should be treated as such. 4, How can community transport be better utilised to serve local communities and particularly low passenger volume routes? No comment on this issue. 5. Do you agree that the Traffic Commissioner should be able to impose greater financial penalties on ‘operators who a) fail to meet the terms of the franchise or b) walk away from the franchise altogether? Yes - just look at what's happened to the railways. TOCs put in unrealistic bids, and then just walk away when they fall apart. Bidders need to be properly committed and realistic. 6. What is your assessment of the likely financial implications of the proposed Bill to you or your organisation? What other significant financial implications are likely to arise? I don't expect much change personally - Lothian Buses are excellent already, although price control would be good even here, especially for the disadvantaged. 7. 1s the proposed Bill likely to have any substantial positive or negative implications for equality? If itis likely to have a substantial negative implication, how might this be minimised or avoided? I see it as positive: those without private transport are typically those lower down the income scale and those living in more remote areas. A stronger bus network would drive real inclusion. 8. Do you have any other comment or suggestion that is relevant to the need for or detail of this Bill? T'd consider going further and just letting local authorities run monopoly services, It works in London! (Hi Iain - thanks for bringing this forward. Great work! Picked it up from Patrick Harvie's BetterBuses Twitter account) Cheers James James Mackenzie