8th January 2007

Sheffield Green Party today condemned the inclusion of the Business Development Director of First Group plc in this year's New Year Honours.

Rodney William Dickinson has received his OBE for services to public transport, at a time when bus passenger numbers have fallen dramatically and First Group plc has made huge profits.

This, in the wake of First South Yorkshire's latest fare rises, has led Sheffield Green Party to renew it's call for a Quality Bus Contract, enabling council control of fares, routes and timetabling.

Green Party transport spokesperson, Robert Murphy commented, 'Further delay in a Quality Contract application is resulting in the loss of millions of passenger journeys every year. It is time for action from local government to begin this process.'

He added 'Regulation of the buses is the vital first step in the improvement of our public transport system.'

For more information, contact Kathy Aston 0114 222 1795 (W), 231 1548 (H)