Cat Hobbs, the group’s public transport campaigner, said:

"We’ve been pushing for this for a long time. We’re glad the Government has listened to us, and to the millions of bus passengers in this country, and agreed to create a watchdog. Because buses are overwhelming a local concern, the Government will need to give local authorities sufficient funding, and the new watchdog a strong local structure, to ensure these good words about improving people’s bus experiences can become reality."

She continued:

"If these changes are done right, they will help to make buses a real alternative to driving – something we urgently need. Today’s quarterly traffic statistics reveal an increase in traffic [3]. The Local Transport Bill needs to not just cut congestion but actually reduce traffic if we are to improve communities and tackle climate change."

Notes to editors
[1] Campaign for Better Transport is the new name of Transport 2000, which has been securing better transport policy and programmes since 1973.

[2] The Government announcement about the Local Transport Bill: http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=328950&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False [1]

[3] Traffic in Great Britain: Quarter 3 2007: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/roadstraffic/traffic/qbtrafficgb/2007/trafficingbq32007 [2]