Labour has again pledged to give “every community” in England outside London scope to roll out franchising of bus services and says that under its plans for overhaul, reregulation could be delivered in “as little as two years.”
That will come via legislation passed by the party during a first term in government. It claims that public control in London and Greater Manchester means that “buses have thrived” in those locations, although statistics actually show that usage in the capital fell consistently year-on-year from 2015 and 2019.
Labour adds that its plans will ensure improved taxpayer value, deliver better services, and allow local authorities “a choice over the bus system that works best for them.” The party claims that under such an approach, no additional central government spending will be required.
It is yet to explain how that cost parity will be achieved, although the party notes that local leaders will have “more control and flexibility over bus funding.” The latest announcement largely covers what was first published in policy proposals by Labour during April 2023.
Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham recently commended the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement funding approach, which gives a multi-year horizon for transport budgets. He notes that such a mechanism “is really valuable.”
However, Mr Burnham was critical of the current statutory process for franchising services in England, noting that it is “a little too bureaucratic” and “too open to legal challenge.”
Labour adds that Greater Manchester “endured a six-year slog due to unnecessary barriers imposed by central government” in rolling out bus franchising and says that it will support local leaders to deliver reregulation faster.
Under its plans, the party says it will create and save up to 1,300 routes and allow 250 million additional passenger journey per year. Networks across England will receive “safeguards” under the proposals.
Describing deregulation as a “failed system,” Labour adds that there were 1.5 billion fewer bus trips per year in 2019 than 1985, that almost 300 million fewer miles per year are covered now compared to 2010, and that “thousands” of services have been cut since 2010.
The party’s comments on loss of services have repeatedly been questioned, with the Confederation of Passenger Transport noting previously that in some cases routes have been consolidated with little or no loss of coverage.
Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh is to announce the plans on 11 April at an event with the Labour candidate for Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker. He has confirmed that should he oust incumbent Andy Street, he will look to progress franchising of bus services in the region.
Ms Haigh says that deregulation has “robbed communities of a say over the vital services that they depend on, instead handing power to unaccountable private operators [that] have slashed services.”
She adds: “Labour will give every community the power to take back control of their bus services, and will support local leaders to deliver better buses, faster. Labour’s plans will create and save vital routes and services, end today’s postcode lottery of bus services, and kickstart a revival of bus services across England.”
The party has also underscored its policy of removing the ban on publicly owned bus operators.
