Government Perspective

1
Government Perspective
Government Office for the South East

• David Cooper OBE
• GOSE
• Deputy Transport Director

2
National Policy Context
Government Office for the South East

• 1998 A Better Role for Bus Travel
• Greater priority to coaches on the national road
  network.
• LTPs LAs encouraged bring forward suitable
  priority measures for buses and coaches.
• More accessible information on coach services.
• Better transport interchange arrangements..
• Regulations to improve access to coaches for all.

3
South East Multi-Modal Studies
Government Office for the South East

• Thames Valley and Orbit MMS
• The Secretary of State
• accepts the case for a system to promote longer
  distance bus and coach services on corridors not
  currently well served by public transport
• encourages strategic partnerships to promote a
  wider network of long distance bus and coach
  services, integrated with existing service
  patterns and focussed on the most promising
  routes.
• will consider LTP bids to contribute to the cost
  of improved interchange and priorities on the
  local road network .
• Asks the H A to consider priority measures on its
  roads
• Expects to see new services largely on a
  commercial basis.

4
A unique opportunity?
Government Office for the South East

• A general change in climate, in the light of
  transport studies, funding pressures,
  reorganisation of railways planning, and changes
  within the coach industry.
• The Regional Transport Strategy and a move
  towards sub- regional study and strategy areas.
• Government endorsement for the coach network
  concept with encouragement to work up
  proposals and bid for funds.