Commenting on today’s Department for Transport statistics on bus punctuality, which show that one in six buses is late before it even starts its journey, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker said:

"It’s a complete transport shambles that so many buses are late even before the journey starts. How will we persuade more people to use public transport if they can’t rely on it being on time?

"Instead of providing a public transport system we can be proud of, this Government has presided over rising fares and poorer services.

"The Local Transport Bill should give councils much more power over bus services than what is currently proposed."