The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has reinforced the messages contained in its Bus Strategy ahead of the general election on 12 December by releasing a list of policy priorities for buses that it wants the incoming government to action.
CPT has worked with the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) to produce the more recent document. The two parties call for the next government to promote bus use. That, they say, will provide better connectivity while allowing local authorities (LAs) to improve air quality.
“Over the coming months, MPs will have to make crucial decisions that will shape the future of buses… for years to come,” it says. In a timely observation, it repeats that 60% of public transport journeys in the UK are made by bus.
To deliver their common objectives, CBT and CPT regard the production of a National Bus Strategy by the government as imperative. It must have tackling congestion and unreliable journey times at its core.
CPT and CBT work to deliver
A long-term funding settlement is also part of CBT and CPT’s priorities. That, they say, will allow operators to invest “with confidence” in zero-emission buses, multi-operator price capped ticketing and lower fares for job seekers and apprentices.
Additionally included is a commitment to bus-first policies in local infrastructure funding.
CPT Chief Executive Graham Vidler says: “As parties hit the campaign trail in earnest, we want to hear them talking about their plans for buses and the millions of people who use them every day.
“The industry has led the way by setting out its plans for more ultra-low emission and zero-emission buses, simpler ticketing and discounted travel for job seekers and apprentices. We need the next government to work with us to deliver these, and to help many more people choose the bus.”
Mr Vidler’s words are backed up by CBT Chief Executive Darren Shirley. “A National Bus Strategy, backed up by central government funding, can put buses on a road to a brighter future and help to reconnect communities, boost local economies and tackle the loneliness crisis.
“It’s now up to the next government to seize the opportunity to turn around the fortunes of communities that rely on the bus.”
What’s in store post-election?
At the time of writing, neither the Conservatives nor Labour had launched their manifestos. Until they do, it is difficult to see any firm commitment to buses, although the leaders of both parties have each already spoken on the subject.
In April, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn pledged to invest £1.3bn in reversing cuts to services. Labour has also talked of a return to public ownership and of free travel for under-25s.
Three months later, Prime Minister Boris Johnson articulated his fondness for buses and his wish to improve them “as a matter of urgency.” Most surprisingly, Mr Johnson also suggested that money will be made available to LAs wishing to pursue franchising under a Conservative government.
Rural affairs
Buses in urban areas are usually the focus of politicians’ attention. But CBT and CPT’s policy wish list includes elements to help tackle what the two organisations refer to as “the rural mobility challenge.”
It strengthens earlier messages that politicians should work with operators and stakeholders to trial alternative means of providing rural transport. Demand-responsive services should be among that mix.
Additionally, the document calls for pump-priming of ‘total transport’ partnerships. They would involve collaboration between operators, LAs and other partners.
Most notably of all, they would also encourage central and local government agencies, including the NHS, to participate in the planning and delivery of what are described as “integrated bus networks.”
Zero emissions
Under plans set out in CPT’s Bus Strategy, the industry has already committed to purchasing only ultra-low emission or zero-emission buses from 2025, if the government keeps to its end of the proposed bargain.
CBT’s own plans go beyond that. It calls for a route to the bus industry replacing its entire fleet with zero-emission vehicles by 2035. All new buses would be zero-emission from 2025.
The move to wholesale zero emissions will, like much else, be reliant on funding from the new government and those that follow it.
It is one month today until the industry wakes up to find out who will control policy for the coming four years. But as the CBT and CPT document states, the decisions made then will shape direction for potentially decades afterwards.
routeone comment
Buses are hardly at the top of any MP’s priority list at the moment, but the call to action from CBT and CPT is timely.
It’s two months since CPT launched its Bus Strategy. That document was well received, gaining buy-in almost immediately.
At a local level, there are many areas where buses remain political hot potatoes. That can be chalked up to various reasons: Congestion impacting service delivery, a rabid belief that renationalisation (of anything) will give immediate improvements, or operators not delivering what customers want.
It’s likely that such a local focus on buses will grow. The industry has already made various caveated medium- to long-term commitments to improve its product and mitigate its environmental impact.
But if threats of franchising and renationalisation are to be faced down, its focus on the here and now must be just as strong.
