CAMPAIGNING AGAINST BUS CUTS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2011 :: RMTnews 10 A s part of the union’s ongoing campaign against bus cuts the union has produced thousands of freepost postcards in support of Early Day Motion 1986 calling on the government to ensure the industry receives proper funding. The EDM, tabled by Bob Russell MP, warns that massive reductions in local and national government funding mean bus services face cut after cut, which could tip services into a spiral of decline from which they will struggle to recover. In some areas entire bus networks could be left in tatters. Evening and weekend services would become a thing of the past and additional provisions to encourage bus patronage, like concessionary fares for young people are in jeopardy. Poor bus provision magnifies social problems, obstructs the delivery of other public services and holds back the economy. The full EDM text is as follows: “That this House recognises that two thirds of public transport journeys are made by bus; believes that buses play a vital role in society, linking people to work, education, shops and services, keeping the elderly self- sufficient, supporting local economies and offering an immediate lower carbon alternative to car use; notes that hundreds of local authority supported bus services deemed socially necessary are being withdrawn; is concerned that the decision to reduce the Bus Service Operators Grant by 20 per cent. from 2012 will further damage the bus network and undermine Government objectives to tackle unemployment and promote equal opportunities and social mobility, particularly in rural areas; and calls on the government to ensure buses receive the funding and support that they need to play their part in keeping the country mobile and on the road to recovery.” HOW YOU CAN HELP • Send the Freepost postcard to your MP asking him or her to sign Parliamentary Motion 1986 against cuts in bus services • RMT is a supporter of the Save Our Buses Campaign. Visit the website for details of the campaign to Save Buses in your area www.bettertransport.org.uk/ campaigns/save-our-buses • Email info@rmt.org.uk or go to www.rmt.org.uk to find out other ways you can help with the campaign to Save our Buses L ondon taxi driver members held a day of protest on November 9 over attacks on the licensed taxi trade. Kicking off the action, RMT’s London Taxi branch held a demonstration outside Transport for London headquarters to highlight complaints over the poor treatment, bad policies and contempt that the Taxi/private hire office have shown towards the trade in general. The union registered the complaints directly to the London mayor’s Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy. RMT taxi members also joined in a wider demonstration involving taxi drivers from other taxi organisations in Trafalgar Square. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “From the issue of pedicabs to the abuse of ranks by minicabs and the whole fiasco of the Olympics lanes, the licensed taxi trade in London is under an unprecedented attack and that’s why RMT members in the industry are working for maximum unity to defend jobs, safety and the quality of service to the public. “RMT will ensure that the future of the taxi trade in London is a major political issue in the run up to next year’s mayoral election and this action is the start that political campaign,” he said. London Taxi branch secretary Stan Marut warned that the trade faced complete deregulation to a one-tier system with private hire being allowed legally to ply for hire and the topographical knowledge of London no longer being required for taxis. CAMPAIGNING AGAINST BUS CUTS RMT CABBIES IN LONDON PROTEST