New information revealed by the Liberal Democrats has shown that
bus routes in the Western Traffic Area have been slashed under
the Conservatives. The data, provided by the House of Commons
Library, shows that over 700 live bus routes have been cut in the
area since 2020, a 26% decrease.
Since 2020, Live Bus routes have been cut by 26% in the Western
Traffic Area according to analysis revealed by the Liberal
Democrats. This is in keeping with a worrying trend nationally.
Just this year a further 7.5% of routes were cut across the
country.
These cuts are set to continue. FirstGroup has announced the
closure of dozens of bus routes in the Western Traffic Area, set
to be made on 9th October.
This has prompted calls for the Government to intervene to
protect vulnerable people who now face being isolated from the
outside world.
The data also shows that 43% of those who use the bus, do so for
commuting or educational purposes which raises further questions
about those who will be impacted the most by bus cuts. Liberal
Democrat Transport Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse has slammed the
Government for leaving communities abandoned.
, Liberal Democrat
Transport spokesperson commented:
“It is time to bring back Bath’s buses. The rate of bus closures
is scandalous. The Conservatives have presided over years of
shocking cuts to bus routes.
“The Government cannot abandon vulnerable people who rely on
buses to get around. They must step in and fix this mess.
“The Conservatives are just sitting on their hands whilst my
constituents worry about vital transport links being cut. I will
continue to raise this in Parliament and fight for a Government
intervention to bring back Bath’s buses. The residents of Bath
deserve better.”
ENDS
Notes to the Editors
-
The data from the House of Commons Library can be on route
closure can be found here
-
The data on bus usage and purposes can be found
here
