Cahm – INFORMATION – PASSENGERS PROBLEMS 1991

Description

The BusWatch/National Consumer Council report presented by Dr Caroline Cahm links the continuing decline in bus travel to poor, unreliable passenger information following deregulation and privatisation. BusWatch, set up in 1986, collected extensive user surveys and engaged with operators and local authorities to highlight problems. Findings show wide regional variation: some companies provide good information but many do not, while competition and frequent timetable changes exacerbate confusion because operators typically only publish details of their own services and anti‑competition rules discourage joint timetabling. Local authorities sometimes produce comprehensive timetables, but provision is inconsistent and under threat from budget cuts. The report calls for urgent action: restrict service change registrations to set dates for stability; make local authorities (counties and PTEs) responsible for comprehensive, funded information provision; improve operators’ information systems supported by reduced financial burdens and better traffic policies; amend competition law or provide OFT guidance to encourage cooperation; and clarify the role of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.