Radical rethink needed to get people back on buses

Jul 28 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A DRASTIC change in attitudes by authorities was needed to attract people to use public transport in Liverpool, an industry executive said last night.

Bob Hind, who left his position as managing director of Arriva North West yesterday, says authorities dealing with road issues need to radically change their approach and co-operate with bus companies more to convince drivers public transport is favourable to travelling in a car.

He says steps such as giving buses priority at traffic lights and properly enforcing bus lanes will help start a sea change in the way people get around the city.

Mr Hind, who is being replaced by previous finance manager Phil Stone this week, is leaving the position after 13 years to work in the Midlands for the company.

He said: “Bus travel is unrecognisable to 20 years ago.

“Margaret Thatcher once said that people who travel on buses were failures. It was deeply insulting at the time but when you saw the state of bus services, it rang true to a certain extent.

“Now her comments seem absurd, partly because vehicles are better, services are more reliable and frequent and people are more environmentally minded.

“There is still a large section of society that has not travelled on a bus since school however and the challenge is to change that.

“The only way we can do that is by implementing measures, such as priority at traffic lights to make people see it is the sensible and quick option.

“We are all selfish to an extent and if we know we get somewhere quicker in a car, most people will drive.

“Highways authorities need to consider bus users because it is the most flexible form of public transport.”

Arriva, which employs more than 3,000 people within Merseyside, is also remaining committed to half fares for children, which looked under threat when Liverpool council withdrew its subsidy. Mr Hind said: “It was the right decision to keep the half fares when the council withdrew its subsidy because children are our future business.

“If they get into the habit of using the bus, they will carry on into adulthood and this will change the future generation’s mentality towards transport.

“It is also wrong to penalise those on low incomes and we will stick by this decision. The half fare is here to stay.”

Mr Hind also emphasises the importance of the upgraded airport network, which brings in tourists to the city day and night: “This is even more central during Capital of Culture year. The service is currently every 20 minutes but will be increased to every 15 for next year.”

He added: “I have loved working in Liverpool and it is such a shame I will not be here for the Capital of Culture because that is in a way the thing we have been working towards.”

lizawilliams