Ipswich Buses - proud record continues (Ipswich Liberal Democrats)

Ipswich Liberal Democrats <info@ipswichlibdems.org.uk>

Ipswich Buses - proud record continues

February 7, 2007 6:11 PM

Thousands more people every week are using buses in Ipswich since the Lib Dem coalition took power in September 2004.

We are proud of this record. This has been achieved through policies that promote efficient and good quality public transport.

Policies we have followed:

1) Cheap or free fares. Ipswich Liberal Democrats were responsible for introducing free fares for older people at all times of the day. In principle we wish to see free public transport for all as a means of making genuine change in peoples transport habits. Next year we will invest over £2.2m in concessionary fares.

2) Improve the service:

We have increased frequency of bus services in order to improve take-up. The recent improvements to Ravenswood routes are part of this commitment.

New buses have been introduced on routes to improve service. Six brand new buses have been introduced on the Chantry / Copdock route.

3) Working in partnership with Ipswich Buses.

We have helped Ipswich Buses by providing financial muscle. This has enabled them to invest £6m in a new depot by borrowing via Ipswich Borough Council at lower rates. This money does have to be repaid and we make no bones about that but in net terms we are investing more in Ipswich Buses than ever before.

4) Ipswich Liberal Democrats believe the best people to run bus services are bus companies. We will therefore not interfere with the day-to-day running of Ipswich Buses. If they wish to make any service changes and require financial support to keep unprofitable routes going we will listen. We recognise that Bus services cannot run without subsidy and we want to see more people using buses, not less. We have not been approached regarding routes subject to press speculation and if we are approached will be happy to sit down with Ipswich Buses and discuss them.

Finally Ipswich Liberal Democrats wish to reassure all those concerned that we will not support across the board cuts in the provision of bus services in Ipswich. We want to see sensible decisions made in the context of improving overall bus passenger numbers. We are proud of our record so far and will go forward committed to an increased level of bus provision whatever our detractors choose to spin.