Service changes include reduced frequency, fewer stops and cancellations of some routes. Among the proposed cuts, some of which have already been implemented, are 16 services in London, 25 in Liverpool and around 40 in the North East. The cuts come after bus service coverage in England fell by more than a quarter between 2012 and 2021, according to figures from the Campaign for Better Transport. Many of the latest cuts have been blamed on a drop in passenger numbers following the pandemic, but rising costs are also an issue, while cuts in Kent are also linked to a shortage of drivers. Labour’s transport secretary Louise Hay said: “Communities across the country have been rocked by the Conservatives. Many will see none of the funding promised by the Tories to improve our shockingly poor bus services – meaning our already abysmal service will only get worse.” The government’s national bus strategy was launched in March 2021 with the promise of £3bn of investment, but most of that has continued to support the industry through Covid. Only £1 billion has been given to regions to fund plans to improve bus services, with more than half of the regions that bid for funding getting nothing at all. David Renard, transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, said: “There is no doubt that the pandemic has accelerated existing trends in reducing bus ridership. Louise Hay. Photo: Michael Mayhew/Allstar “Government emergency funding has helped keep buses on the road during this time. Passenger numbers will take longer to return to those seen before the pandemic and without continued support, it is clear that some routes will no longer be viable and will have to be reduced. We want to encourage greater use of public transport and that means the government needs to start a long-term funding plan for bus services.” Silviya Barrett, director of policy and research at the Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Regarding both climate change and the cost of living crisis, the scale of these cuts is deeply worrying. They will lead to more struggling households, more loneliness and exclusion. And each cut makes the bus network less sustainable, heralding a future of greater car dependence, more traffic and more emissions. “The government must put the brakes on these cuts. More funding is needed so all local authorities can invest in more frequent bus services, cheaper fares and faster journey times.” Further cuts are expected after government funding to support bus services during the pandemic ran out in October, with dozens of services in West Yorkshire at risk. A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We have committed to investing £3 billion in bus services by 2025 to improve fares, services and infrastructure and have given nearly £2 billion since March 2020 to bus operators and local authorities to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. “To maximize this investment, local authorities need to ensure services are commercially viable and reflect passenger needs post-pandemic.”
