I FIRMLY believe that public services should be in public ownership and any profit made re-invested to improve the service or reduce the price, not to shareholders and chief executives of private companies. We the public should be the shareholders and we the public should get the dividend.
Public transport was privatised by the then Conservative government but not everyone is aware that these private companies are by no means stand alone companies. They receive massive tax subsidies — last year £4billion of our money for 'Direct Rail Support'.
Sir Richard Branson benefits greatly from taxpayers' cash. When asked why he is a resident of tax haven the British Virgin Islands he said it was for health reasons.
FirstGroup operate First Bus in our area. They receive a grant from Bolton council, our council tax money. First have just withdrawn the 519 Johnson Fold service without any consultation. How can this possibly be in the public interest, it isn't, it's in the shareholders interest. This is outrageous.
What is Bolton council doing to try to re-instate this or a similar service? When the bus operators contract comes up for renewal, does the council, before awarding the contract, insist there should be full and thorough consultation before any changes are made? I doubt it.
The bus companies and their shareholders are filling their boots whilst the travelling public are left standing at the bus stop.
Eric Hyland
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