Minister refuses to rule out regulation of buses

TRANSPORT minister Derek Mackay is “open-minded” about proposals to re-regulate Scotland’s bus industry.

Mr Mackay told a transport conference in Edinburgh that bus passengers in some areas of the country had to put up with a “patchy service” and hinted he might be willing to consider the proposals put forward by former Labour leader Iain Gray to shake up the industry.

Mr Gray is spearheading a Private Members’ Bill, due to go before the Scottish Parliament this summer, calling for more regulation.

Speaking at the second annual Scottish Transport Conference, Mr Mackay said: “I have some concerns about the affordability of some services, the patchy service and the decisions made by some bus operators with regards to services.

“There has to be better engagement. For that reason, I will continue to remain neutral on the Private Members’ Bill going through parliament at the moment. Let’s see what it throws up. I remain open-minded.”

Mr Mackay’s stance will prove highly controversial with bus operators, who are bitterly opposed to any moves to reverse privatisation.

Iain Gray, MSP for East Lothian, tabled his proposals after a number of bus services were cut in his own constituency. His Bill proposes handing regional transpor t authorities greater power over how bus services are run, including a new franchising power which would force operators to bid for “bundles” of profitable and non-profitable routes. However, the Confederation of Passenger Transport Scotland said regulation would push up fares and Mr Gray’s proposals were “uncosted”.