Bus privatisation was a disaster. Just like train privatisation and mine privatisation! I worked in the bus industry from 1985 to 1995 as a driver. Private companies muscled in, but only on profitable routes and at profitable times of the day. They had sub standard fleet and paid their drivers far less with no pensions and no sick pay. All the excess profits then went to the shareholders: the ‘bus barons’ as you call them. It also cost us all dear, as the poorly paid drivers then claimed in work benefits to make up their wages in many cases. Adding to the taxes we all pay. The less well paid drivers also then contributed less to the local economy they lived in as they had less disposable income as well as paying less tax obviously. To sum it up, the term ‘bus service’ ceased to exist as they all became ‘bus companies’ or ‘bus businesses’. It’s interesting that in your presentation you allude to local authorities wanting to recreate the ‘bus service’ model. That demonstrates to me proof that the privatisation of the 1990s was a total disaster for staff and passengers alike.
Bus privatisation was a disaster. Just like train privatisation and mine privatisation!
I worked in the bus industry from 1985 to 1995 as a driver.
Private companies muscled in, but only on profitable routes and at profitable times of the day.
They had sub standard fleet and paid their drivers far less with no pensions and no sick pay. All the excess profits then went to the shareholders: the ‘bus barons’ as you call them.
It also cost us all dear, as the poorly paid drivers then claimed in work benefits to make up their wages in many cases. Adding to the taxes we all pay. The less well paid drivers also then contributed less to the local economy they lived in as they had less disposable income as well as paying less tax obviously.
To sum it up, the term ‘bus service’ ceased to exist as they all became ‘bus companies’ or ‘bus businesses’.
It’s interesting that in your presentation you allude to local authorities wanting to recreate the ‘bus service’ model. That demonstrates to me proof that the privatisation of the 1990s was a total disaster for staff and passengers alike.