Passenger Focus has explained why it believes it should become the new statutory representative of bus users in the UK.

The consultation on bus user representation published by the Department for Transport in December said that expanding the role of the rail consumer watchdog to cover buses should be considered (Transit December 14). Passenger Focus chief executive Anthony Smith believes that it is the best of the four options on the table.

In an interview in this edition of Transit, Smith says: "From the users point of view it's completely sensible to combine bus and rail representation - different industries but very similar issues."

Smith had an opportunity to put his case at a seminar hosted by the Department for Transport in London this week. The private discussion, organised by the DfT and Campaign for Better Transport, was attended by transport operators, unions and existing passenger bodies.

Transport minister Rosie Winterton, who opened the seminar, said: "We want to create a champion to stand up for bus passengers, giving them a much stronger public voice. The champion will make sure passengers' interests are represented when important decisions are being made and will push for high quality services for bus passengers everywhere."