117.Section 142 extends the powers of the traffic commissioners to impose traffic regulation conditions on local bus services under section 7 of the 1985 Act. These powers currently allow the commissioners, at the request of local authorities, to impose restrictions on routes and stopping places in the interests of preventing danger to road users or reducing severe traffic congestion. Under this provision, a commissioner will also be able to do so for the purpose of reducing or limiting noise or air pollution.
118.Section 143 empowers local transport authorities to obtain from operators of local services information which they may need in connection with their public transport functions. The information obtainable may be demanded in any reasonable form but is limited to total passenger numbers, total bus mileage and an operator’s fare structure for the whole or part of their area (subsections (2) and (3)). There is provision for the protection of commercially sensitive information in subsections (4) to (6).
Commentary on Sections Part II: Local Transport Section 142 and 143: Bus Services: Miscellaneous