The keenly anticipated Labour manifesto for the 2024 general election, published on 13 June, has generated a mixed response to its pledges on transport matters.
In perhaps the headline Labour promise from an overarching coach and bus perspective, the manifesto commits to developing a long-term transport strategy that will allow transport infrastructure to be delivered efficiently. Also signalled is a standalone 10-year infrastructure strategy, aligned with an industrial strategy and regional development priorities.
The manifesto cements the previously announced policy that the apprenticeship levy will be reformed into a flexible growth and skills pot. Such an overhaul has long been advocated by trade body RHA, which welcomes this commitment and the approach to infrastructure.
However, Labour’s manifesto gives no detail of deeper bus policy in England beyond what has already been revealed. That centres on increased franchising powers and scope for more municipal operators.
In a nod to elected Labour metro mayors Tracy Brabin, Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram, the manifesto says that such change will be built on their existing work around franchising of bus services.
The party again describes the current bus landscape as “broken” and says that under Conservative governments, “transport services have remained fragmented and inefficient with companies and sectors failing to speak to and plan with each other.”
Unlike the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, Labour makes no mention of the future of the £2 bus fare cap in England in its manifesto. Such an omission has been questioned by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).
CEO Graham Vidler says that failure is “disappointing.” He adds: “Passengers could continue to benefit from industry and government working together to keep fares low, particularly if investment is targeted on key passenger groups, such as under-22-year-olds.”
Mr Vidler adds that the long-term transport strategy should sit alongside a five-year funding landscape for bus services. The latter is one of CPT’s long-term key asks of government. It says that “nothing less” will ensure that investment in buses is maximised.
From a business perspective, the manifesto commits to retaining full expensing for capital investment and the annual investment allowance for small businesses. RHA welcomes that but wants the same full expensing for leased assets, which it says would be particularly beneficial for companies including coach operators.
The two trade bodies also applaud a pledge for 10-year budgets for research and development institutions (CPT), and a more joined-up approach to migration and skills (RHA). Changes to planning policy are greeted favourably by both, but RHA wants more clarity, financial incentives and investment to help decarbonise vehicles including coaches.
Labour manifesto here.
