Thatcher’s failed bus experiment must end after 40 years
The Scottish Greens have challenged the Scottish Government to end the confusion over the plan to bring Scotland's buses “back under public control”, forty years after Margaret Thatcher's disastrous experiment with bus privatisation and deregulation began.
The call comes as new figures from Friends of the Earth Scotland reveal that bus passenger numbers have fallen by 31% since 2009, with 150 million fewer journeys being made every year.
Last month the SNP’s Transport Secretary struggled to answer basic questions about the commitment to “better buses legislation” in the Programme for Government. Three weeks ago the Government admitted there was still no clarity, stating: “Over the coming months, we will undertake further engagement and discussion regarding potential options before decisions on next steps are taken”
However the following week, the First Minister told his party conference that Scotland’s bus network would be brought back under public control during the current Parliament.
Scottish Greens transport spokesperson Patrick Harvie MSP has warned that the confusion must be ended urgently, and that the public would not forgive the SNP if this promise is not delivered in full.
Patrick said:
“Forty years ago, Margaret Thatcher handed our buses over to the private market. Four decades later, her failed experiment has been a disaster for passengers, communities and our planet.
“Public transport is an essential public service. It connects people to jobs, education, healthcare and their loved ones. It should not be treated as just another opportunity for private profit.
“Greens have made the case for regulation, franchising and public ownership for many years. I’m glad that other parties are at last agreeing that this change is needed. But conference announcements will change nothing, and it’s astonishing that the Transport Secretary seems to have no idea what he’s actually going to do.
“The current best estimate is that it will take most of this session of Parliament to achieve franchising in just one area, the SPT region, and no other region is anywhere near as advanced as plans are there. If Stephen Flynn is going to keep the First Minister’s promise - everywhere, and by 2031 - he needs to get serious about the legislation that’s needed.
“Bus services should be designed around the needs of the communities they serve, not the profits of private companies and billionaire owners like the Easdale brothers at McGill's.
“The Scottish Greens have delivered big improvements in public transport, from the bus pass for young people to the £2 fare cap. But we know from experience that Ministers can’t just announce a headline policy without a plan to make it a reality.
“Franchising is an important step towards putting passengers back in control, allowing routes, fares and timetables to be planned around what people actually need. It must also be seen as a natural path toward public ownership, so that more communities see the benefits that Lothian enjoys today.
“If the SNP are serious about transforming public transport, making it affordable and reliable for everyone, then we need a bus network that works for people and planet, not private profit.
“Forty years of Thatcher's failed experiment is forty years too many. It's time to put passengers first and bring Scotland's buses back under public control.”