20th ANNIVERSARY OF BUS DEREGULATION

That this House notes with regret the 20th anniversary, on 26th October 2006, of the deregulation of bus services outside London; further notes that in those two decades bus patronage outside London has fallen by 37 per cent. and fares have increased by 45 per cent. (respectively 50 per cent. and 86 per cent. in the six metropolitan areas), and that the effects of deregulation have hit the poorest hardest; therefore welcomes the Government's Review of Bus Policy; and calls on the Government to make it easier and quicker for local authorities and passenger transport executives to plan and regulate bus services in a way which contributes to wider economic, social inclusion and environmental objectives.