Cherished bus services still face the axe in the Bristol region despite a government U-turn to extend emergency covid cash for operators, metro mayor Dan Norris says. The Department for Transport announced on Friday, August 19, that it was giving a further £130million to continue propping up routes across the country for six months despite previously insisting the funding would end in October.
But West of England Labour mayor Mr Norris says it will not solve the chronic shortage of bus drivers overnight, so some under-threat services whose fares do not cover running costs will still be lost. Responding to the Government’s surprise decision to prolong its Bus Recovery Grant until the end of March 2023, he said: “I should warn people that even with this new cash, which of course I welcome, it doesn’t necessarily follow that cuts won’t happen.
“The huge, huge problem is and remains that there are just not enough bus drivers to drive the buses, and that will continue to be the case even with more funding. We are on to that, with campaigns to recruit drivers and then train them up, but it's not a short-term solution.
Read more: Campaigners brand Bristol region's bus system "completely broken"
“I need to level with people that we still face tough choices ahead. My first action was to ask the Government if they could divert some of this cash to driving training.”
Mr Norris, who heads the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) which oversees the region’s strategic transport, said he was in discussions with First to assess what Friday’s announcement means. Bath & North East Somerset Council Lib Dem cabinet member for climate and sustainable travel Cllr Sarah Warren said: “This is very worrying news for the rural communities of North East Somerset and residents in Bath suburbs.
“Buses are an essential part of the transport system, and we need more routes to help in the fight against climate change and toxic air pollution. The Liberal Democrats are completely opposed to bus cuts and have been fighting to save local services.
“Cancelling routes this autumn would lead to a gap in provision before alternatives, such as demand responsive services, can be developed. This would leave some people stranded, with no access to transport, while others would give up and start making their journeys by car, creating a vicious cycle of rising congestion and air pollution and declining public transport.
“We need the Government to step up with and provide a sustainable, long-term funding deal for buses, one which will prevent the need for any further cuts and most vitally support driver recruitment and retention. Without this the Government is simply driving bus companies into cutting the routes upon which local people rely.
“Ultimately, we believe that the bus service system, as currently organised, is fundamentally broken. Transport authorities need the powers and ambition to directly intervene in the public transport market, either through their own wholly owned bus companies or through franchising.”
South Gloucestershire Council leader Conservative Cllr Toby Savage said: "We are delighted that the Government is committing an extra £130million in funding support for vital bus services. This is encouraging news for our bus network and something we have been calling for for some time.
“What we need now is for Weca to start prioritising the existing resources it already has, such as rethinking its decision to spend millions in taxpayer money on lavish new offices and hoarding reserves that could otherwise be used to save bus services.” Mr Norris recently warned that the end of covid funding for buses, which would have happened in October, was a “cliff edge” for many services.
The Government claims the additional £130million funding will keep routes running for “millions of passengers”. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “This funding will ensure millions across the country can continue to use vital bus services, and brings the total we’ve provided to the sector throughout the pandemic to almost £2billion.
“At a time when people are worried about rising costs, it’s more important than ever we save these bus routes for the millions who rely on them for work, school and shopping.”
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