Stagecoach decision a backward step - Boaden
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By Carlisle Labour Party in General Published: Thursday, 04 February 10 - 09:22 AM (GMT) |
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Michael Boaden, Labour’s candidate for Carlisle at the next General Election has today stated that he will be writing to the Competition Commission regarding the decision of Stagecoach to stop running the Dalston to Cotehill bus service. Mr Boaden said
‘Stagecoach unilaterally pulled the plug on a vital and important service for residents in a number of villages around Carlisle. This was not only a backward step but clearly demonstrated the dangers of one operator having a monopoly on the provision of services in an area like Carlisle.
I am pleased that the County Council has been able to step in on this occasion but we all recognise that such intervention is not always possible.
The Competition Commission have been charged by the Office of Fair Trading with making a detailed study as to whether bus services in the UK are lacking in competition in a way that results ‘in a detrimental effect on customers such as higher prices, lower quality or less choice of goods and services.
I will be submitting this issue as evidence of what can happen to the quality of service offered to customers if one company has such a powerful position.
The example of the Dalston to Cotehill route is just the latest in a series of actions by Stagecoach, which clearly demonstrate that the priority is profit rather than public service.
They have often used their monopoly position to arbitrarily propose the axing and changing of routes and raise already high fares without proper notice. In short we have a situation in the City where the bus company fails to provide a full and proper public service and there is often little that can be done.
Furthermore I will lobby hard to ensure that any recommendations coming forward from the Commission are progressed by the Government.’
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