ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the Transport White Paper and the Competition Act 19983, with particular reference to local bus services. It deals with two arguable, preliminary positions. The chapter focuses on the Competition Act, the Transport White Paper, and how the key provisions of that statute act on the measures announced in the Paper to improve bus services. The July 1998 Transport White Paper was pre-figured in the Labour Party’s 1997 General Election Manifesto. The 1998 White Paper wants a shift away from the private car to improved, integrated public transport. The White Paper indicates that a further power will be introduced through primary legislation to enable local authorities to enter into Quality Contracts. The White Paper supports to the extent that new legislation to underpin Quality Partnerships is promised. Since deregulation we have witnessed continuing concentration in the bus market, and less complaint about anti-competitive practices by bus companies passed on to the Office of Fair Trading.
