The latest annual fall in bus journeys in England Wales of 2.25% – from 5.155bn to 5.039bn – is the inevitable consequence of years of cuts to bus funding.
Every year, more and more people are losing their local buses and are having to turn to expensive taxis or rely on lifts from other people if they wish to access jobs, education or just see family and friends.
This is not good enough.
The new Bus Services Act does offer hope for some areas.
Local authorities can use new powers to protect or even restore bus routes, but we also need long-term, sustainable funding from central government or we will continue to see buses decline.
Lianna Etkind,
Public Transport Campaigner
Campaign for Better Transport
