Here in Liverpool, buses are back under public control – and that’s great for the only people who really matter | Steve Rotheram
For decades we were told that privatisation would deliver better services. The experience of millions of passengers tells a different story Steve Rotheram is mayor of the Liverpool city region One of the best-known scenes from the TV series The Inbetweeners is the four angst-ridden teenage characters shouting abuse at people queueing at a bus stop. Only losers take the bus, is the point – except…
For decades, the prevailing narrative asserted that privatization would lead to superior transportation services. However, the reality for countless commuters paints a contrasting picture. Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool city region, offers his perspective on this matter. One of the most iconic moments from the television show The Inbetweeners features four teenage characters hurling insults at people waiting at a bus stop, with one of them crudely labeling anyone who uses the bus as a "loser." Regrettably, this sentiment has been widely accepted by many individuals.
Interestingly, when Steve Rotheram was an MP, he observed that London exhibited a different attitude towards public transportation. In contrast to other major cities, London's bus service, operated under public control, was generally well-regarded and not subject to the same stigma. This disparity prompted him to express his frustration, noting that while London maintained a commendable public transport system, the rest of the country was content with subpar services.
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