Local councils will be given more power to introduce services, especially in rural areas, says the party in its election manifesto
The Liberal Democrats have pledged to help bring back rural bus routes in a manifestor launched on Monday 10 June, citing figures that show that the number of registered bus routes in Britain has almost halved since 2010.
The party says the Conservatives have taken countryside communities ‘for granted’ and has made a raft of promises aimed at winning voters in traditionally Conservative areas, including to give councils new powers to restore and introduce new bus routes where there is seen to be a local need, and especially in rural areas.
Responding to the Liberal Democrat manifesto, Graham Vidler, CEO at the Confederation of Passenger Transport said: “It is good to see the Liberal Democrats recognise the importance of bus services to rural communities. In its bus manifesto CPT has called on the next government to create a simple statutory definition of essential bus services and to provide the funding for local authorities to deliver them. We need a national solution to ensure people in rural areas and small towns can take the bus to work and participate fully in their community.
“Supporting bus fares for young people is also a valuable way to promote the benefits of bus travel and embed sustainable long term travel habits.”
