Early day motion 354

FIRST BUS FARE INCREASES IN SHEFFIELD

• Session: 2008-09
• Date tabled: 17.12.2008
• Primary sponsor: Betts, Clive
• Sponsors:
  • Blunkett, David
  • Caborn, Richard
  • Corbyn, Jeremy
  • McDonnell, John
  • Smith, Angela C

That this House, aware of the substantial reduction in fuel prices, is dismayed at bus fare increases averaging eight per cent., and in some cases as high as 14 per cent., announced by First Bus in Sheffield; is further aware that these increases will hit those on low incomes the hardest, will offer further encouragement to the long-term decline in bus usage in the city and come after First Bus has announced profits of £180 million for the last six months accounting period, up from £103 million for the same period in 2007; and therefore calls on First Bus to rethink these unacceptable increases and on the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority and Executive to begin giving consideration to consulting local people on the possibility of using new powers in the Local Transport Act 2008 to establish quality contracts and remove the ability of bus operators to impose fare increases of this scale.