Responding to a Transport Select Committee report on bus services
in England outside London, Cllr Martin Tett, Transport spokesman
for the Local Government Association, said:
“Bus journeys are in a downward spiral of
decline, which is driving up fares and exacerbating cuts to the
services and routes that are a lifeline for many communities and
vulnerable residents.
“The Committee rightly calls for the funding of
bus services to be reformed and it is good to see several
recommendations to improve this. The
recommendations also include a single bus strategy for
England.
“Any strategy would have to be backed by adequate resources
and find a fully funded long term solution to
concessionary fares which are underfunded by at least £652
million a year. This is unsustainable for councils already struggling to protect
other subsidised bus travel in rural areas, or helping young
people with their travel costs.
“Ahead of the forthcoming Spending Review,
government needs to give councils control over the Bus Service
Operators’ Grant, and properly fund national free bus pass
schemes, if councils are to maintain our essential bus services,
reduce congestion and pollution, and protect vital routes.
“We are happy to work with the Committee and the Government
on taking forward the many helpful recommendations in this
report.”
