{"id":49826,"date":"2014-11-06T13:26:00","date_gmt":"2014-11-06T13:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=1b6f917bafb29dbef0bce16d7fec6a33"},"modified":"2014-11-06T13:26:00","modified_gmt":"2014-11-06T13:26:00","slug":"speech-showcasing-the-bus-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=49826","title":{"rendered":"Speech: Showcasing the bus industry"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Opening remarks<\/h2>\n

Good morning everyone.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a pleasure to be here today (6 November 2014) for the Euro Bus Expo 2014.<\/p>\n

A real showcase for the bus industry.<\/p>\n

And a real highlight in the transport calendar.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s particularly encouraging to see so much interest from exhibitors and visitors.<\/p>\n

The growth of this event reflects the increasing importance of the bus industry.<\/p>\n

And not just in this country, but right across Europe.<\/p>\n

In a world of rising road congestion and vehicle emissions.<\/p>\n

And ever increasing demand for high capacity urban passenger transport.<\/p>\n

The importance of buses is only going to go up.<\/p>\n

They may not hit the headlines as often as other forms of transport, <\/p>\n

But in terms of their value to the travelling public.<\/p>\n

And to the economies of every town, city and region across the UK.<\/p>\n

No other transport comes close.<\/p>\n

Two thirds of public transport journeys in this country are made on local buses.<\/p>\n

While coaches carry as many people around the country as rail. <\/p>\n

Together, they clock up around 6 billion passenger journeys a year.<\/p>\n

Enhancing so many people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s potential for much more growth in this industry.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s why we\u2019re all here this week.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Baroness<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Government support<\/h2>\n

That\u2019s also why the government puts such an emphasis on supporting buses.<\/p>\n

This year, we will fund nearly \u00a31 billion of spending on concessionary travel. <\/p>\n

More than \u00a3300 million has been allocated to fund major bus projects since 2010.<\/p>\n

We have spent \u00a370 million through the better bus areas scheme across 24 local authorities.<\/p>\n

And many other bus improvement schemes have been supported through our \u00a3600 million local sustainable transport fund<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s why we also put an emphasis on competition.<\/p>\n

Bus operators have innovated because they are commercial businesses.<\/p>\n

Competing against other forms of transport.<\/p>\n

And against other operators.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the private sector \u2013 working in tandem with local authorities \u2013 that is driving bus growth in many cities.<\/p>\n

And providing better, safer, cleaner services for passengers.<\/p>\n

I believe there is a huge amount of common ground between private and public sectors on buses. <\/p>\n

We all want to give customers the best service and see the market grow, <\/p>\n

It is fitting that the Expo comes in the same week that the government announced a major devolution of powers.<\/p>\n

To create an elected Mayor in Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n

Which will help create a more integrated and co-ordinated transport strategy in the north.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve seen the benefits of such a structure in London, where the Mayor has control of buses.<\/p>\n

Bus trips in the capital are up a third over the last 10 years, but down by 7% in the northern cities.<\/p>\n

If supported by the public, there will be a franchise of bus services with Greater Manchester controlling routes, frequency and price.<\/p>\n

With a smartcard system similar to London\u2019s Oyster card.<\/p>\n

And I\u2019m sure that the innovation of commercial bus operators, working in tandem with an accountable, elected Mayor, will deliver better services for passengers.<\/p>\n

Smart ticketing<\/h2>\n

On the issue of smartcards, I share the frustration of the Secretary of State on the degree of progress being made<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The level of investment has not yet translated into a comprehensive smart travel offer for the customer.<\/p>\n

The collective frustration is one of the reasons why I chair the Smart Cities Partnership.<\/p>\n

In order to corral the efforts of major cities and bus operators.<\/p>\n

So I was delighted to see this week a positive response from bus operators to deliver smart ticketing in all major English cities by 2015.<\/p>\n

I have already written to the operators asking them to expand on the commitment, and demonstrate their coordinated plans for implementation.<\/p>\n

Smart ticketing will be transformational \u2013 both for the customer and the bus market. <\/p>\n

Let\u2019s not lose sight of that. <\/p>\n

So I shall be meeting up with operators and the cities again next month to reinforce that message.<\/p>\n

Green buses<\/h2>\n

As you can see.<\/p>\n

One of the big themes this week is sustainable travel.<\/p>\n

And what\u2019s so important is that the industry sees green buses as a real growth opportunity.<\/p>\n

Not just as means to clean up our environment.<\/p>\n

At the end of last year the government made \u00a3500 million available for the development of the ULEV market between 2015 and 2020<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At least \u00a330 million of this is to fund low emission buses.<\/p>\n

And the new measures were announced in full by the Deputy Prime Minister in April<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In total, 4 rounds of the Green Bus Fund<\/a> have provided nearly \u00a389 million to support the purchase of 1240 new low carbon buses \u2013 1204 of which are now in service.<\/p>\n

The Coalition government has funded 3 of those rounds, with funding for 879 low carbon buses across England.<\/p>\n

This has already made a significant contribution to a cleaner, greener environment.<\/p>\n

Each year, every low carbon bus in London saves around 26 tonnes of CO2 compared with its diesel equivalent, with buses outside London estimated to save around 22 tonnes.<\/p>\n

Investment in the bus fleet will continue.<\/p>\n

Transport for London\u2019s proposed Ultra Low Emission Zone would require all double-decker buses operating in central London to be hybrid.<\/p>\n

And all single-deck buses to be zero emission at the tailpipe by September 2020.<\/p>\n

We also provide financial support to bus operators and local authorities through the BSOG<\/abbr> low carbon bus incentive<\/a>. <\/p>\n

This incentive, along with other BSOG<\/abbr> incentives, will be reviewed in 2014 as part of the bus subsidy reform workstream.<\/p>\n

But the bus industry deserves credit for already adopting new technologies.<\/p>\n

These include rechargeable buses in Milton Keyes that use inductive charging points, and the increase of gas buses, with 88 vehicles funded through the green bus fund.<\/p>\n

Accessible buses<\/h2>\n

Technology is also a key factor in making buses more accessible.<\/p>\n

Real progress is being made.<\/p>\n

Latest statistics for September 2014 show that 84% of buses in England now meet the main industry accessibility requirements.<\/p>\n

And that figure continues to grow. <\/p>\n

I also want to get more audio and visual technology on buses.<\/p>\n

But I understand that the industry has be realistic about the cost. <\/p>\n

So in July, I announced a new competition encouraging the development of simpler and more affordable A\/V<\/abbr> systems.<\/p>\n

This is challenging students around the country to come up with cost-effective ideas to provide passengers with accessible on-board information. <\/p>\n

But there\u2019s one thing technology can\u2019t do.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s provide excellent, face to face customer service.<\/p>\n

So I\u2019m keen that all drivers are equipped to help blind, partially sighted and disabled passengers.<\/p>\n

And disability awareness training is key to achieving this objective.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why we recently completed a review of regulations exempting bus and coach drivers from mandatory disability awareness training.<\/p>\n

And I wrote to industry leaders and disability groups to establish whether drivers are receiving adequate training. <\/p>\n

We will shortly be putting a summary of responses on the government\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

All these issues \u2013 and many more \u2013 will be discussed here at the Euro Expo today.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m particularly pleased that the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT<\/abbr>) is leading the bus and coach industry in commemorating the centenary of the First World War. <\/p>\n

Thousands of people who\u2019d worked in the industry sacrificed their lives. <\/p>\n

And it is right that we remember them.<\/p>\n

Transport played a key role in the war, and we should also remember the people who made that possible.<\/p>\n

In particular, it was women who kept our buses and trains running between 1914 and 1918.<\/p>\n

And that helped sow the seeds of social change in Britain after the conflict.<\/p>\n

So my thanks to the CPT<\/abbr> for doing such a great job this week.<\/p>\n

And finally.<\/p>\n

My thanks to all of you.<\/p>\n

Because despite the challenges facing the industry.<\/p>\n

Services are getting better and better.<\/p>\n

According to a recent Passenger Focus survey, customer satisfaction has improved in most areas.<\/p>\n

Including value for money, punctuality, journey time, and reducing anti-social behaviour.<\/p>\n

Overall satisfaction is 88% an increase from 84% last year.<\/p>\n

So the industry deserves real credit. <\/p>\n

We\u2019re getting more green buses on the road.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re making bus travel easier for disabled people.<\/p>\n

And we\u2019re attracting increasing numbers of drivers to leave their cars at home and take the bus.<\/p>\n

So you are doing a great job.<\/p>\n

And I hope you all have a fantastic day at the show.<\/p>\n

Thank you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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