Stoner – CAN INFORMATION BE PRIVATISED 1985

Description

Peter J. Stoner’s 1985 study assesses how local public-transport information might be provided after bus-service deregulation. Based on questionnaires from 43 English and Welsh shire county councils and trials of computer-generated area leaflets, it documents large variation in current publicity (stop displays, route/area leaflets, timetable books, maps), staff time, costs and monitoring methods. Trials used a “library of times” database and templates to speed revisions, but manual stages (data entry, layout, printing, distribution) remain time-consuming and savings modest. Area leaflets and timetable books best show network coverage but are costly to update; displays and route leaflets are cheaper yet offer less context. Deregulation—more operators, competition and service change—threatens joint, comprehensive information provision and would require substantial, uneven council staffing increases to maintain standards. The report explores revenue and partnership options and concludes that coordinated, professionally managed information (funded publicly or via private grants/partnerships) is essential to preserve passenger access and operator marketing after deregulation.