Transport operators, unions, existing passenger bodies and consumer and voluntary organisations came together to discuss how proposals to create a bus passenger champion should be taken forward.
Transport Minister Rosie Winterton, who opened the How to create the best
bus passenger champion possible seminar, said:
"We want to create a champion to stand up for bus passengers, giving them a much stronger public voice. The champion will make sure passengers' interests are represented when important decisions are being made and will push for high quality services for bus passengers everywhere.
"To make sure the champion is best placed to represent passengers across England we have been asking for views on how it should work in practice. Today's seminar will help us to create the most effective voice for bus passengers and in turn I hope this will encourage even more people on to buses which would cut congestion and improve our environment."
The Local Transport Bill, currently going through Parliament, includes measures to create the first formal champion for bus passengers.
Yesterday's seminar was organised by the Department for Transport and Campaign for Better Transport as part of the consultation on those proposals.
The consultation on the proposals for a bus champion - Options for Strengthening Bus Passenger Representation - is available on the DfT website at http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/buspassenger/. It runs until 17 March.
