Bus and coach operators get ministerial backing 17 February 2011

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Transport Norman Baker has thrown his weight behind the bus and coach industry.

Speaking at the IRTE-backed Bus and Coach Engineering conference yesterday, he promised that the coalition government will "continue to try be a friend" and help out operators and manufacturers however it can.

The conference was staged to provide both operators and manufacturers with an opportunity to learn more about the industry and what is being done to improve efficiency while cutting costs.

"Our objective is to stimulate the market for production of low carbon buses, so they become the norm rather than the exception," said Baker, recognising that, while the green bus fund has been continued, more can be done to ensure emissions reduction is taken further.

"Buses are important as they represent two-thirds of public transport journeys," continued Baker.

"They are important to generate economic growth, and we support them and want to see more people on them. After listening to operators, we have protected the BSOG [bus service operators grant] and, while all aspects of government policy have to play their part in the spending review, we hope we have given the bus industry a soft landing."

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Society of Operations Engineers

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