Written question asked by Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 20 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 October 2003. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 October 2003 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to offer combined ticketing for bus, rail and taxi journeys; and if he will make a statement; if he will list the (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies that offer combined tickets for bus, rail and taxi journeys; how many (i) passengers use the joint service and (ii) services run; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to offer combined ticketing for bus, rail and taxi journeys; and if he will make a statement; [134028] (2) if he will list the (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies that offer combined tickets for bus, rail and taxi journeys; how many (i) passengers use the joint service and (ii) services run; and if he will make a statement. [134029] Mr. McNulty: The Transport Act 2000 empowers local authorities to make ticketing schemes covering local bus services which may include travel on connecting rail or tram services. Operators themselves may agree inter-available tickets within the terms of the Public Transport Ticketing Schemes Block Exemption Order. This Order covers journeys by bus, rail, tram or ferry. The "Plus-bus" scheme run by "Journey Solutions" and funded by transport operators, provides an add-on bus option to rail tickets at either or both ends of a train journey. Plus-bus is currently available at 135 stations across the rail network, and is being rolled out to every major town and city in Great Britain. Various other combined ticketing schemes are available, particularly in major conurbations. Their terms and conditions vary from time to time and it would not be practical for central Government to collect data on them, or the number of passengers using them.

Secondary information