Transport
Why Labour?
Labour is developing a modern, efficient, sustainable transport network in Britain, which balances the needs of the economy, the environment and individuals. This is backed by long term planning, sustained long-term funding, and improved transport management.
For the first time in over half a century, there is a fully-funded plan for rail which will allow for double today’s level of passengers and freight over the next 30 years. We have introduced reforms and investment which are giving local authorities more powers to ensure that local transport meets the needs of local people, ensuring quality bus services and tackling congestion. And in addition, since April 2008, 11m older and eligible disabled people have been entitled to free off-peak bus travel anywhere in England.
Key achievements:
- Free off peak travel on buses anywhere in England for around 11m over-60s and eligible disabled people.
- Today more people are travelling by rail than at any time since demobilisation after the Second World War.
- Committed £5.5 billion for Thameslink, £600 million to improve stations at Birmingham New Street and Reading, plus £150 million for the refurbishment of 150 other key stations.
- Bus patronage is now increasing year-on-year, reversing a trend going back to the 1950s.
- Delivered major investment in transport; local transport investment has more than doubled since 1997, support for local bus services in England has nearly trebled, and spending on rail is almost 2.5 times higher.
- Secured the funding deal for Crossrail, which will enable 200m passenger journeys a year; add 30,000 high value jobs in London within the first 10 years of it’s operation and add an estimated £20bn to the UK’s GDP, so benefitting the country as a whole.
Winning the fight for Britain's future:
- We will deliver over 1,300 new carriages for our rail network between now and 2014 –nearly 100,000 more train seats.
- We are creating a simplified structure of rail fares and ticket types, with one name for each type of ticket across all operators
- We are providing local authorities with more flexibility and powers to address congestion and improve local transport like buses
- We will support the sustainable growth of aviation – supporting British business and holidaymakers while ensuring we strike the right balance between our economic, social and environmental goals.
- Working in the EU we have secured the inclusion of aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme.