County APPG: Reversing the decline in rural buses
This report sets out the findings of their inquiry into the sharp decline of bus services in county and rural areas and the impact this is having on communities and their economies.
In this report, the County All-Party Parliamentary Group, supported by the County Councils Network, sets out the findings of their inquiry into the sharp decline of bus services in county and rural areas and the impact this is having on communities, economies and social mobility.
Bus services are a vital lifeline for millions of residents, yet years of underfunding, rising costs and the impacts of COVID 19 have left many areas at risk of becoming transport deserts. Our inquiry demonstrates that without decisive action, these inequalities will continue to widen.
Key findings include:
• Funding for bus services in county areas fell by over 30% in real terms between 2009/10 and 2018/19, a steeper decline than elsewhere
• Passenger journeys in counties fell by 97 million over the decade, reflecting service cuts rather than falling demand
• Residents in county areas face significantly poorer access to jobs, education, healthcare and town centres
• Community and demand responsive transport help fill gaps but are not a replacement for a sustainable core bus network
• COVID 19 has further undermined the viability of already fragile rural services
Recommendations to government include:
• Provide long term, sustainable funding for county bus services and give certainty over Bus Service Operators Grant
• Reform concessionary fares to reflect rural demand and costs
• Devolve powers and funding, including franchising options, to county authorities
• Support community transport, integrated planning and low emission bus investment