Buses are a key local service, but usage has been in decline since the 1950s. The Transport Act 1985 introduced deregulation, but that has failed to reverse that decline. The report examines the particular problems local authorities face in developing and implementing effective bus strategies. It is clear to the Committee that, for many areas, including all major metropolitan areas outside London, the current regime is not working. The Committee recommends more flexibility, and is particularly attracted by Quality Contracts. These would replace open competition with a licensed regime. Operators bid for exclusive rights to run bus services on a route or group of routes, on the basis of a local authority service specification. Independent Traffic Commissioners are another development that the Committee welcomes, and would like to see them have a higher profile and more resources and powers, especially to enforce Quality Contracts and penalise operators who do not meet their obligations. Others areas covered in the report are: securing socially necessary services outside the PTAs; congestion and bus priority; concessionary fares; and the image of the bus.
This new edition of the classic hit title Bus-Pass Britain is a colourful celebration of travelling by bus around the British Isles and features a selection of 50 favourite bus-routes submitted by members of the public in response to a Bradt competition. Their favourite bus routes reveal a wonderful mosaic of journeys across Britain, from a leafy meander through the Home Counties to the exhilarating seascapes of the northeast coast, from the wilds of Snowdonia to the Outer Hebrides. Evocative and fun, the book reveals how free bus passes have encouraged a new generation of keen explorers. Join us on the top deck for a fresh perspective on towns and villages across Britain. Each journey includes recommendations on where to stop and explore, providing details of inspiring sights, suggested walks and the best local cafes, pubs, restaurants. All the practical details: bus times, the length and duration of each route and travel connections to the start and finish, are provided and the book features a scattering of quirky stories and reflections (entitled Bus-stops) on the wonders of this more leisurely form of travel.
In this report the Committee concludes that the Local Transport Act 2008 gives local authorities a range of tools to work with bus operators to improve local bus services and does not need updating. However, the Government and bus industry need to show more leadership to raise the standard of bus services with the introduction of multi-operator smartcards, service stability and passenger information. While some bus services are good, too often passengers are dissatisfied with the reliability of the service, the level of fares and the need to buy another ticket if the trip involves two bus companies. More competition among bus operators may improve services in some areas but many routes simply cannot sustain more than one operator. It is worrying that the Traffic Commissioners who are responsible for bus safety and punctuality monitoring appear to have insufficient resources to carry out these crucial roles as effectively as they would wish. Outside London, the quality of bus services depends on partnerships between local authorities and the bus operators. In a minority of areas, such as where local authorities take on responsibility for local rail services, bus franchising may be an appropriate option. These would require additional subsidy and sustained political commitment
Government targets are increasingly concerned with the outcome of services instead of the inputs. These targets can involve partnerships between national, regional and local bodies as well as private companies, which is known as the delivery chain. The Audit Commission, and National Audit Office have combined to look at the local and national aspects of three targets: Bus services; affordable housing; childhood obesity. This report looks at bus usage, which is likely to meet its target of a 10% increase by 2010. However this is mainly due to the increase in London, where there is a much clearer delivery chain and tighter regulation.
The Transport Committee reports that extensive cuts to rural, evening and weekend bus services are damaging the ability of many people - especially the old, young or disabled - to participate in employment, education or voluntary work and to access vital services such as healthcare and retail facilities. In a review of England's bus services (outside London) after the Spending Review, the Committee warns that even deeper cuts in bus services are likely in 2012-13, as local authorities struggle to deal with budgetary reductions, and calls for the concessionary travel scheme to be preserved so that the elderly and disabled continue to enjoy free bus travel. The Committee also concludes that the concessionary fares scheme was 'discriminatory' because it did not apply to most community transport providers - usually independent charities that provide transport such as dial-a-ride bus services. It calls on the Department for Transport to monitor the extent of service cutbacks made this year and to review service provision again after BSOG (Bus Service Operator Grant) grant cuts take effect in 2012 - 13 so that it can analyse and draw conclusions about the wider costs and benefits of its policy changes to the country as a whole. The Local Government Association should identify and disseminate information about good and bad practice in the delivery of cost effective, flexible services including community transport and/or area-based transport integration. And local authorities and commercial operators must consult more widely where services are being changed
The key aim of this volume is to demonstrate ways in which an understanding of history can be used to inform present-day transport and mobility policies. This is not to say that history repeats itself, or that every contemporary transport dilemma has an historical counterpart: rather, the contributors to this book argue that in many contexts of transport planning a better understanding of the context and consequences of past decisions and processes could lead to more effective policy decisions. Collectively the authors explore the ways in which the methods and approaches of historical research may be applied to contemporary transport and policy issues across a wide range of transport modes and contexts. By linking two bodies of academic research that for the most part remain separate this volume helps to inform current transport and mobility policies and to stimulate innovative new research that links studies of both past and present mobilities.
What is it that excites and interests your students? Reading first hand what skills top marketers really look for in graduates? Debating the benefits of using shock and fear appeals in advertising? Determining how to use social networking sites to successfully market a product? Marketing, Second Edition, presents marketing examples and issues from exciting real-life situations. Packed full of case studies from international organizations including Innocent, Orange, HMV, and Oxfam, it enables students to see first hand what top marketers actually do and how they tackle the decisions they have to make. The text also discusses the theory that supports those skills vital to marketing success across all areas of society, from dealing with skeptical consumers, selling products to the government, and deciding which pricing approach to adopt to the ethical implications of marketing to children and the best ways to use social networking sites in marketing efforts. Employing a lively writing style, the authors encourage students to explore beyond classical marketing perspectives and provoke them into thinking critically about how they would approach marketing issues. Links to seminal papers throughout each chapter also present the opportunity to take this learning further.
Addressing the principles of sustainability, spatial planning, integration, governance and accessibility of transport, this book focuses on the problem of providing efficient and low energy transport systems which serve the needs of everybody. It explores many of the new arguments, ideas and perceptions of mobility and accessibility in city-regions. Looking at evidence from Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands, Germany and the UK, it considers the meaning of the key concepts of sustainable accessibility, the spatial planning model, and integrated territorial policies.
Lonely Planet: The world's number one travel guide publisher* Lonely Planet's Great Britain is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Gaze at the graceful architecture of Canterbury Cathedral, stride around the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle or through the mountains of Wales, and soak up Roman, medieval and Victorian history - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Great Britain and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Great Britain: Full-colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights provide a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, art, food, drink, sport, politics Covers London, Canterbury, Southeast England, Oxford, Cotswolds, Southwest England, Cambridge, East Anglia, Birmingham, the Midlands, the Marches, Yorkshire, Manchester, Liverpool, Northwest England, The Lake District, Cumbria, Newcastle, Northeast England, Cardiff (Caerdydd), Pembrokeshire, South Wales, Hay-on-Wye, Mid-Wales, Snowdonia, North Wales, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southern Scotland, Stirling, Central Scotland, Inverness, Northern Highlands & Islands, and more. The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Great Britain is our most comprehensive guide to Britain, and is perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Need a city guide? Check out Lonely Planet's London for an in-depth look at all the city has to offer. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia) *Source: Nielsen BookScan: Australia, UK, USA, 5/2016-4/2017 eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.
