QUESTION marks over 142 subsidised bus services across Lancashire strengthen calls for public transport to be “re-regulated”, according to Labour councillors.

Bosses at County Hall eventually tore up plans to save £8.93m by cutting financial support to routes in isolated communities, including at least 48 buses locally.

But the Labour administration claims it chimes with a party pledge to give counties the chance to set timetables and fares.

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County council chiefs have also signalled their support for a transport executive for Lancashire, similar to those afforded to Greater Manchester and Merseyside, which offer substantially cheaper fares for travellers.

County Cllr David Borrow, the authority’s deputy leader, said: “We will always work to protect and improve our vital public services.

“But I also want to be clear that we cannot continue to subsidise the profits of private bus operators indefinitely.

“We are working to find new ways to deliver public transport solutions that offer improved cost efficiency for taxpayers and to this end Labour’s proposal to re-regulate services is very promising. for Lancashire.”

The powers, it is said, would effectively end bus subsidies and allow priorities for routes and timetables to be determined at a local level.