Chair of Merseytravel, Cllr Mark Dowd, is the new Chair of the Integrated Transport Authorities Special Interest Group. The group brings together leading Councillors from the six English Integrated Transport Authorities.

Cllr Dowd said:

‘I’m very pleased to take on the role of Chair of the ITA Special Interest Group again.

Among the issues I will be raising with Ministers on behalf of the six ITAs is the need to ensure that all ITAs continue to be adequately and directly funded by Government to ensure that the national concessionary fares scheme continues to run smoothly in our areas.

We will also be pressing hard for the Government to address the growing funding gap between the city regions and London. With public spending cuts on the horizon it will be unacceptable if its our budgets take the hit because so much transport funding is already committed elsewhere

Finally, we also look forward to continuing to work with both national and local stakeholders on how the role of ITAs will develop under the Local Transport Act. As locally accountable politicians we understand what matters to local residents on transport. Over the years we have demonstrated that by pulling in investment, protecting integrated ticketing arrangements wherever we can, and speaking out for passengers’ interests. We want to build on these strengths and use the powers in the Act to give passengers a better deal – in particular on local bus services.’

ENDS

For more contact Jonathan Bray on 0113 251 7445 / 0781 804 1485