Bus journeys have plummeted by more than 300 million in just five
years, falling to their lowest level in over a decade, according
to latest figures, as new polling by the Local Government
Association shows that the majority of residents want councils to
decide how bus services are provided in their local area.
Latest government figures show there were 4.31 billion bus
passenger journeys made in England in 2018/19 compared to 4.627
billion in 2014/15 – a drop of 317 million.
The Local Government Association is calling on the
Government to give all councils oversight of local bus
services so they can maintain and improve them, and protect
local routes so older and vulnerable people don’t get left
behind.
The LGA, which represents councils, says investing in bus
services can provide a lifeline to older and vulnerable people
who depend on local buses. It is also concerned that the decline
in bus passenger journeys could cause increased congestion and
poorer air quality in local communities.
This follows polling by Kantar commissioned by the LGA
which found that 69 per cent of residents think local councils
should be the main decision-makers on bus services.
The LGA has previously warned that nearly half of all bus
routes are at risk, as the funding gap from government for the
concessionary bus fare scheme is expected to grow from the
estimated £652 million shortfall in 2017/18.
Concessionary bus fares are a legal requirement of councils
which provide free, off-peak travel for older and disabled
residents.
To help plug the funding gap, councils have been forced to
reduce spending on discretionary concessionary fares across
England, from £115 million in 2014/15 to £85 million in 2017/18 –
a 26 per cent reduction. While in England, outside of London,
spending on supported bus services is £122 million less than in
2010 – a drop of 33 per cent.
Discretionary concessionary fares include free peak travel,
post-16 school transport, companion-free travel, or assistance
for a young person’s travel.
The LGA says that to secure the future of bus services, the
Government should introduce measures which close the
concessionary fares funding gap, so councils can protect them,
and give all councils automatic access to franchising powers and
control over the Bus Service Operators’ Grant so that public
subsidies can be better targeted.
LGA Transport spokesman Cllr David Renard said:
“Councils want to protect local bus services, which are a
vital service and can be a lifeline for our most vulnerable
residents, whether that is to go shopping, collect medication,
attend doctor appointments or socialise with friends.
“The continuing decline in bus journeys emphasises the need
to protect bus services and for councils to be able to invest in
funding subsidised routes.
“Not only will this make sure we can provide bus services
to those who rely on them, but it can also help to reduce
congestion and improve air quality by reducing the number of
vehicles on our roads.
“As our polling also shows, the vast majority of residents
want to see councils take control over how bus routes operate in
their local area. With proper funding and by giving all councils
oversight through automatic franchising powers, councils will be
better placed to boost ailing passenger numbers and enable more
people to use the bus services they rely on every day.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
4.31 billion local bus passenger journeys made in England
in the year to March 2019
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/810251/quarterly-bus-statistics-january-to-march-2019.pdf
Full breakdown for previous years
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/774572/bus0103.ods?_ga=2.247197380.1965978858.1566917083-1776807485.1566917083
Bus Services Act 2017
The Bus Services Act brought changes to how local buses are
regulated and introduced new franchising powers for councils.
However, franchising powers are only automatically available for
Mayoral Combined Authorities, other areas have to seek the
permission of the Secretary of State – the LGA is calling for all
areas to have access to automatic franchising powers, as operates
in London.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/664318/bus-services-act-2017-new-powers-and-opportunities.pdf
