Crisis talks over the Bristol region’s under-threat subsidised bus services broke down without agreement. Metro mayor Dan Norris and three council leaders hit an impasse over who should pay, and how much, for 26 of the 80 “supported” routes, which rely on taxpayers’ cash because they do not make money for the operators.
An urgent meeting of the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) committee was called by the heads of the local authorities that comprise the regional body – Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset – with the hope of striking a deal. But after half an hour of debate in public followed by a “10-minute break” that lasted an hour and a half while private talks took place amid offers and counter offers between Mr Norris, who leads Weca, and the councils, the meeting was postponed to a date to be arranged.
A total of 26 supported services are at risk of being scrapped because the cost of buses has soared by 43 per cent through rising prices for fuel and drivers, along with fewer passengers. That equates to an increase of about 10 per cent above the amount budgeted for from the transport levy, which is money that councils are required to provide for routes that are not commercially viable, such as to isolated communities.
