Labour U-turn
Wed., June 25, 2008. 12:49.
Labour u-turn on buses welcomed
The Scottish Greens today welcomed the proposal by Labour to bring forward a bill on bus re-regulation, which follows a vote in Parliament two weeks ago which backed a Green amendment on the issue. (1) It remains to be seen whether the specific proposals will deliver the affordable and widely available bus services Scotland needs, but Greens will campaign inside and outside Parliament to get the best deal for bus users.
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"Following Parliament's vote for the Green amendment on bus regulation two weeks ago, it is clear that there's a substantial majority to look again at the future of our buses and secure a much better deal for passengers across Scotland. Usage has fallen over the last 20 years, while prices continue to rise. It's a shame that Labour never chose to act while in government, but better late than never.
"Competition in the bus market has been a very mixed story, with successes and failures, but bus services remain a vital public service and crucial to tackling climate change. I urge the SNP to take the opportunity to examine all options for future regulation, just as they agreed to in response to the successful Green amendment."
Notes
1. On June 12 2008 Parliament passed the following Green amendment by 86 votes to 15, with 16 abstentions:
S3M-2121.2 Patrick Harvie: Bus Transport-As an amendment to motion (S3M-2121) in the name of Des McNulty, insert at end "recognises the need, beyond the short term, to consider the most appropriate regulatory environment for bus services to operate within, given the mixed impacts of competition in the industry and the positive results that have been achieved in countries and cities which use stronger forms of bus regulation, and calls on the Scottish Government to consult on the full range of options for the future of bus services.
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.