ALBUM welcomes the Bus Users UK paper, Rural Buses: Reversing the decline [routeone/News/19 June], as an opportunity to recognise the importance of rural transport links in reducing isolation while improving access to vital services and opening up career and job opportunities.
Putting users at the heart of the debate as to how to improve rural transport links is vital to ensure any new system meets those users’ needs
This report gives all stakeholders an opportunity to get together to discuss how we solve the problems of rural isolation at a time of ongoing local authority austerity.
Recent cuts to local authority spending have given rise to reductions in rural bus services. In some instances, the traditional bus may not be the future answer to improving rural transport.
ALBUM recognises that the present situation is causing hardship and isolation for many people in rural areas. Our members would welcome getting involved with all stakeholders in providing local solutions to particular rural transport problems.
However, one has to be realistic and question how future services will be funded at a time of ongoing local authority cutbacks.
The Bus Users paper refers to work by Greener Journeys which shows that there is an economic value to local economies when public transport links are improved. We hope this is taken into account by local authorities when they review their spending on rural transport services.
By working across all stakeholders, but especially involving bus users this report is an excellent start to the debate on how we can all work to improve transport links in rural areas.
- Bill Hiron, Chair of ALBUM
