Government Business

NEW RELEASE:
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS 25.05

12-year low must ignite change for buses

Department for Transport figures have highlighted that the crisis facing local transport has reached a pivotal point as the number of local bus journeys has fallen to a 12-year low.

Across the country, transport deserts are expanding as bus services serving some communities disappear. That is according to the Campaign for Better Transport’s Darren Shirley, who writes on the current state of public transport on page 24.

Demand for bus travel has not been this low since the beginning of 2006. Additionally, there has been a 55 per cent increase in fares alongside public funding for bus services having halved in the last eight years.

There is no denying that falling passenger numbers are a direct result of cuts in funding. It is essential that the government use the upcoming budget to halt the trend of cutting support for buses. With a loss of transport, especially in rural areas, also increasing the likelihood of a loss of jobs and educational services, encouraging a more sustainable transport system must be the first step in addressing the problems we are facing as a nation and bring benefits to local communities across the country.

It was also a relief to read at the start of the month that 10 local authorities are to take forward new measures to reduce pollution levels as part of the government’s plan to tackle and improve the UK’s poor air quality. By increasing bus use and cutting car use, our cities and towns should become cleaner places to live.

Michael Lyons, editor