'Help us get more people on the buses' - EYMS boss
THE boss of a bus company has called on the Government to do more to encourage people to use public transport.
Peter Shipp, group chairman and chief executive of East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS), says bus companies are doing all they can to persuade people to swap their cars for buses.
But he says the Government, in return, needs to play its part by supporting independent bus companies.
Mr Shipp said: "The Government keeps saying it wants to see more people using the nation's bus network.
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"But it seems to me the Treasury is going in the opposite direction and doing little to help the industry.
"The time has come where we need actions, not just words, from the Government."
Mr Shipp was speaking at the annual Association of Local Bus Managers' (Album) conference at Forest Pines Hotel, near Scunthorpe.
The function was attended by Norman Baker MP, the parliamentary undersecretary minister for transport.
Mr Baker told more than 250 delegates they were weathering the recession well and pledged further financial support.
He said: "The industry is not perfect, but it is in a pretty reasonable shape. The future looks pretty good for you.
"Having a good independent bus sector is very important to this country.
"We will do everything we can to support you."
Mr Baker praised EYMS for riding out the recession.
He said: "EYMS has been going for more than 70 years. There is credit to be given for that. It is a real achievement."
EYMS, along with main competitor Stagecoach, has been forced to increase fares because of rising fuel prices.
Mr Shipp, who announced hikes of about 10 per cent on selected routes in March, said the industry cannot afford to keep absorbing hikes in fuel duty.
He said reductions in the local council subsidies in return for carrying concessionary fares was also crippling the fragile industry.
Mr Shipp said: "We need the support of the Government. The industry is facing a lot of challenges.
"We are very important. The bus network makes more trips than the railway, including London Underground."
Despite the fare rises, Mr Shipp said he wanted the conference to be upbeat and focus on areas firms could improve.
"The conference is about sharing ideas and improving the quality of our services for our customers," he said.
Mr Shipp said EYMS is introducing 22 "second-hand" buses to its routes, which, with their lower floors, will make life for the disabled and elderly.
The slogan for this year's conference was "making friends and influencing people".
Mr Shipp said: "The event is about networking and coming together to find practical ways of pleasing our customers.
"The conference is very well attended this year with more than 250 delegates and 50 exhibitors offering everything from oil to seating and flooring."
Comments
by myhull
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 1:25PM
“Is this man stupid?
I travel from thorngumbald to hull every day
On a bus that would cost me £116 a month
In a car it costs £88 a month (factoring in insurance and car tax)
So "Peter Shipp" please tell me why i want to waste £28 a month or £336 a year??”
by lunasunbabe
Saturday, May 26 2012, 10:03PM
“dlscaiwgh, I have nothing against disabled people. I only think the design of the buses is wrong. We all could travel in comfort if for example all seats would be folding.”
by angela4
Saturday, May 26 2012, 9:04AM
“Reinstate the old X55 together with the original Drivers that ran that service before it all changed for the worse.You didnt listen to Public or the Drivers Mr Shipp and you cut services to some of these Villages so we can get into Town but have to stay there as no returning buses for ages.You have totally messed this service up at the cost of Newport and Gilberdyke.LISTEN to the public we want the old x55 with those drivers who were happy and helpful.We dont use the new service as drivers not so helpful as when asked if bus went through the village they just gave us a timetable and they should have known the times like the other drivers did.I know Mr Shipp willl be spouting off that there are certain buses that do run through the village and we know that. He always sounds so pompous.Wont be using eyms which is a pity because it was such a good service but Mr Shippp didnmt listen to the Public and they are not happy.”
by GavWanster
Thursday, May 24 2012, 10:53PM
“There's a smelly fat guy in a purple sweatshirt spoils the number 44 experience from willerby into hull just after 9 nearly every morning. if bus drivers had the balls to refuse to let undesirables on the bus, including scum bag chavs or did anything when they cause trouble or smoked upstairs then you might get more decent folk on the bus. this isn't just a rant, it is a serious point and until zero tolerance then the bus will be largely for people who have no other choice, it will never be first choice.”
by Kinnison
Thursday, May 24 2012, 10:20PM
“Ah yes, the "Dirty Thirty" springs to mind.
by BevRoadNorth
Thursday, May 24 2012, 8:16PM
"EYMS is a pretty good company,the buses are very clean and fresh, pretty reliable. Sadly in Hull most routes are of the Stagecoach empire whose buses stink of sh*t, drivers barely manage a grunt and many on board you wouldnt want to meet down a dark alley."”
by BevRoadNorth
Thursday, May 24 2012, 8:16PM
“EYMS is a pretty good company,the buses are very clean and fresh, pretty reliable. Sadly in Hull most routes are of the Stagecoach empire whose buses stink of sh*t, drivers barely manage a grunt and many on board you wouldnt want to meet down a dark alley.”
by jezhull
Thursday, May 24 2012, 8:13PM
“take a drive around any of the council estates in Hull and try to imagine having to sit next to some of these people in the confined space of a bus .... I don't think so.
Hull, like all other cities has developed an underclass of people that have no manners, no self respect, and no ambitions at all.
It must be more than 20 years since I last had to catch a bus and it will be a long long time before I do so again.”
by Demonica666
Thursday, May 24 2012, 7:38PM
“Logicisking;
'"As for encouraging bus use, there always going to be those for who their sense of superiority rules them out of public transport, but people of an open mind i suspect just want quick journeys, affordability and decently presented vehicles."
I feel you shoukd have included the word 'safe' in the list above. Please do not think that my choosing not to use public transport is indicative of my 'superiority' in any way. In fact, it is the opposite. I have simply spent too much time on buses feeling intimidated by fellow passengers to continue to use them. I work full-time, sometimes until late at night and At present, a bus is not a safe environment for a single female to travel on after 8pm.”
by Logicisking
Thursday, May 24 2012, 7:01PM
“I can only speak for EYMS as I rarely need a stagecoach route, but over the years the 'on board experience' if you like has steadily improved. Excellent reliability, more comfortable buses and very little anti-social behaviour. I bump into far more annoying individuals on trains to be honest.
As for encouraging bus use, there always going to be those for who their sense of superiority rules them out of public transport, but people of an open mind i suspect just want quick journeys, affordability and decently presented vehicles.”
by charleswelton
Thursday, May 24 2012, 5:41PM
“I think busses should be seated according to class like public transport used to be. I'd happily pay more, heaven forbid, if I had to use a bus to sit in an area with polite people rather. That system may be old fashioned but at least everyone knew their place in this country.”