Passengers’ Council (Non-Railway Functions) Order 2010

In 2010-11, total bus and coach funding is anticipated to be £2.25 million, and the railway figure will rise slightly from £6 million to £6.45 million. That is how we get to the figure of £8.7 million. There will be a recruitment exercise for the extra members of the board later this year. The noble Baroness also asked about enforcement powers for buses and coaches. That lies with the traffic commissioners, and we have taken the view that it is right that it should remain with them, as they are the independent regulator for the industry. The powers that Passenger Focus has and will have on buses, coaches and trams will be similar to those for rail, and it will be able to make representations and recommendations. The noble Lord, Lord Bradshaw, referred to the consultation. There was very strong support for giving Passenger Focus the power to request information from service and facility providers, and to enable it to make representations to those who have an impact on the quality of service that is provided. The respondents also supported the placing of obligations on those who receive a request for information or a representation to respond in writing.