Edward Leigh

Transport unions have backed a Commons select committee's criticism of light rail and tram systems.

A report from the public accounts committee on Tuesday found that many passengers on such schemes have not benefited to the extent that was planned.

"The Department for Transport has persisted in an arm's length approach towards light rail," said committee chairman Edward Leigh.

"The department has left local authorities to make mistakes, and system planning has been poor.

"In general, there has been poor integration with other public transport, poor provision of supporting facilities like park and ride, and poor route planning - with lines often not connecting shopping and business areas with where people live.

"No wonder that passenger numbers have largely been lower than expected and some operators have been losing money."

Since 1980 the Department for Transport has contributed £1.2 billion to the £2.3 billion that has been spent on building seven light rail systems in England.

Despite the cost, there has been only a partial evaluation of what light rail has delivered.

"Systems have improved the quality and choice of public transport, offering fast, frequent and reliable services and providing comfortable and safe journeys" said the report.

"But they have not delivered all of their anticipated benefits.

"Some have fallen well short of their passenger forecasts and have been poorly integrated with other forms of public transport.

"Outside London, for example, light rail and de-regulated bus services have been competing for passengers, rather than providing an integrated service."

The findings were backed by the Transport and General Workers Union.

"We do want to see investment in public transport but some of the experiences of light rail and tram systems haven't done this mode of transport many favours," accepted Graham Stevenson, TGWU national organiser for transport.

"Of course, the TGWU will continue to support proper investment in trams but we'd also urge the government and local authorities to invest in buses which are quicker to deliver services and results."