Government funding for local authorities to nationalise bus services.
Buses were administered locally as a public service until the Thatcher years. Under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, the Scottish Government changed the law to allow local authorities to own and operate bus services for the first time in decades.
This idea is to suggest that the Scottish Government should create a fund for local authorities to access money to utilise this power under the Transport Act. The fund would allow councils to nationalise pre-existing bus services in order to provide locally accountable services after the pandemic in the quickest way possible. For instance, the councils of the Strathclyde region could collectively access the fund to nationalise First Glasgow which would give councils an immediate stake in our future economic development.
This idea is to suggest that the Scottish Government should create a fund for local authorities to access money to utilise this power under the Transport Act. The fund would allow councils to nationalise pre-existing bus services in order to provide locally accountable services after the pandemic in the quickest way possible. For instance, the councils of the Strathclyde region could collectively access the fund to nationalise First Glasgow which would give councils an immediate stake in our future economic development.
Why the contribution is important
This idea is of crucial importance to the rebuilding of local economies and our national ambitions of a fairer and greener Scotland. The benefits of this proposal include:
-Services running for the public good rather than profit. This will make public transport accessible for those in poverty to include them in the rebuild of our economy.
-Services can be held to account by the public at their local council elections rather than being unaccountable private companies.
-We would have more state oversight at the implementation of social distancing on buses when under control of local authorities.
-Lower fares and less profit motivation will aid Scotland in its climate emergency aims.
-We would be following in the footsteps of other modern European nations that have locally accountable bus services that allow for local employment, cleaner air and a more inclusive economy.
-Services running for the public good rather than profit. This will make public transport accessible for those in poverty to include them in the rebuild of our economy.
-Services can be held to account by the public at their local council elections rather than being unaccountable private companies.
-We would have more state oversight at the implementation of social distancing on buses when under control of local authorities.
-Lower fares and less profit motivation will aid Scotland in its climate emergency aims.
-We would be following in the footsteps of other modern European nations that have locally accountable bus services that allow for local employment, cleaner air and a more inclusive economy.
by jfscullion on May 09, 2020 at 09:42PM
Posted by AlexMD May 10, 2020 at 07:40
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Posted by jfscullion May 10, 2020 at 17:28
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