A new report from the National Audit Committee says that bus networks in England, which facilitate over 1.8bn journeys outside London every year, need further improvements
Bus Users UK’s Director for England Lydia Horbury has welcomed the latest report from the National Audit Office on behalf of the Department for Transport, and the accompanying statement from the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, on local bus services in England.
The report confirms that England’s bus network is used more than any other form of public transport yet concludes that it is ‘still not working for the people who need it most.’ Bus Users UK says it is especially concerned by the report’s findings on the steep decline in concessionary journeys, which saw a 29% fall in the number of trips made by older and disabled passengers, describing the drop as ‘not just a statistic’ but a ‘warning light for equity, dignity and access.’
The report concludes that although successive governments have aimed to improve bus services for passengers and attract more people to use them, and with significant investment, those outcomes are not yet being achieved and that long-standing issues with the performance of the bus sector remain. The commercial viability of the sector has weakened, it finds, and passengers have seen services reduce, recognising that in a changing landscape where local transport authorities will have increasing influence over bus services, it is essential that the DfT provides the sector with the tools it needs.
Bus Users UK says it strongly supports the report’s recommendations for a clear national vision, investment in local capacity, reform of funding, and sustainability and decarbonisation. “Above all,” says Bus Users UK, “these reports remind us of the urgent need to rebuild trust in the system. Passengers need to know that buses will turn up, be affordable, and meet their access needs. That means prioritising reliability, co-production and accountability at every level of planning and delivery. We will continue to champion the voices of passengers and fight for a bus network that is not only viable, but sustainable and worthy of public confidence. Because a well-run bus network doesn’t just move people, it transforms lives, strengthens communities and unlocks opportunity for all.”
Commenting on the report, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport Graham Vidler added: “Bus operators work hand-in-hand with central and local government to deliver the nation’s bus network. There are many towns and cities across Britain where commercial operators have delivered growth by investing in new routes, zero-emission buses and more frequent services. With a level of public investment still low by European standards, passenger numbers outside London grew by 15% last year and 83% of customers said they were satisfied. We do not recognise the description of an industry with weakening commercial viability.
“Nevertheless, we agree with the National Audit Office’s findings that worsening traffic congestion, the Covid-19 pandemic and a decline in public funding have damaged growth in bus travel over a longer period. What’s crucial going forward is that public funding delivers the outcomes that matter to passengers. More buses to more destinations with quick, reliable journey times should be front and centre of investment plans. The Government must take steps to monitor delivery against those objectives nationwide.”
