REGIONAL SUMMIT CHARTS OUT A ROAD MAP FOR IMPROVED BUS AND COACH SERVICES

BUS AND COACH SERVICES HAVE A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN IMPROVING PUBLIC TRANSPORT in the South East according to the South East England Regional Assembly and the Government Office for the South East.

The Regional Assembly and the Government Office are holding a Regional Bus Summit on Tuesday 11 November 2003 in Oxford to address key issues in the bus and coach sector. This conference, chaired by Peter White, Professor of Public Transport Systems at Westminster University, aims to find new ways for the South East to realise the true potential of its bus network. Key decision makers from local authorities, bus operators and regional partnerships will map out an action plan for improving the sector.

The summit will build on research commissioned by the Assembly and the Government Office that has identified the potential for a stronger network of inter urban express bus and scheduled coach services. The research forms part of a range of work that will assist with the delivery of the Assembly's draft Regional Transport Strategy.

Paul Martin, Regional Director of the Government Office for the South East said: "This summit provides a real opportunity for stakeholders to start planning for a better inter-urban bus and coach network. The role of these modes of transport has been neglected for too long. Recent strategic transport studies, undertaken by the Government, have recognised their potential to provide both local and strategic improvements to the transport network in the South East. "

Councillor Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the Regional Planning Committee commented: "This conference is a real step forward in realising the significant change in the quality of public transport needed in the South East.

" We must strive to forge new partnerships which are essential to realise the true potential of these services. The Government has shown its support for improved services in its announcement on the multi-modal studies earlier this year. However, we will be looking to the Government for an urgent review of the current revenue funding regime to help deliver these services."

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007