The government’s Bus Services Bill, which reached its second reading in the commons on Monday [June 2], promises to “end the plight of bus routes being scrapped at short notice”, protecting local communities and ensuring access for disabled and vulnerable passengers.
Councils will work with bus operators to identify “lifeline bus services” that communities in rural or deprived areas depend on and will place more power in the hands of local councils to allow them to create stricter requirements that must be met if an operator is to cancel or change one of these services.
The bill comes after a £1 billion investment that capped fares at £3 (above the previous cap of £2) and aimed to “end the postcode lottery” of bus provisions by improving bus stops, installing digital time tables, and increasing service volume and reliability in disconnected areas.
MPs have also debated how the Bus Services Bill will help local authorities mimic the successes of locally controlled bus networks, like those in Blackpool and Manchester.
The Bus Services Bill would lift the ban on local authorities establishing their own bus companies, allowing them to take full control of local provisions. The Bus Services Act 2017 opened the door for Mayoral Combined Authorities franchising bus services, but blocked local councils from being able to.
It will also remove some of the “red tape” surrounding bus franchising, including reducing the minimum period local authorities must wait before taking control of services.
Mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “De-regulation of buses came at the expense of passengers, with a shrinking network, high fares and a service not fit for the rapid growth and scale of ambition we are seeing in Greater Manchester.
“As the first area to bring buses back under local control, our Bee Network is putting people and businesses before profit, reversing decades-long decline in buses with rapidly growing numbers of passengers served by a more reliable, affordable and integrated network.
“This is central to supporting economic growth, higher productivity, access to new jobs, homes and public services and opening up opportunity for all.
“This Bill is vital to reforming transport networks across the country, putting power back in the hands of locally accountable leaders to ensure services work for the communities they serve.”
Further investment in a sustainable bus fleet will also be included, with £38 million earmarked to bring 319 new zero emission buses to communities across England. Staff and passenger safety is also being targetted with new training programmes focused on identifying and responding to incidents of criminal and anti-social behaviour.
Buses remain the most used form of public transport in England and connect millions of people to their jobs, education, shops and essential servies. Ben Plowden, a representative for Better Transport said: “Preserving vital bus services has long been central to our campaigning, so the new protections in the Bus Services Bill are very welcome indeed.
“Protecting existing services, and identifying and filling gaps in the network, is the way to ensure everyone can access opportunities and stay connected.”
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander said: “We’re committed to giving local leaders the power to shape the bus services their communities rely on. Our Bus Services Bill is a big step forward, protecting vital services that people depend on to get to work, school, or essential appointments.
“We have taken a decisive step towards better buses, building on our £1 billion investment to improve and maintain bus services, keeping people connected, driving up living standards and growing the economy in line with our Plan for Change.”
The plans have been criticised by the Conservatives, with Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Gareth Bacon MP, claiming: “Labour’s Bus Services Bill is an ideological move that threatens essential services.
“They scrapped the £2 fare cap, slashed support for routes, and now want to strip away safeguards so councils can seize control of networks they aren’t capable of operating.
“This is about Labour clinging to a fantasy of municipal socialism, whatever the cost to those who rely on local transport. Without the requirement to prove any benefit to passengers, Labour-run councils will be free to run yet another public service into the ground.
“We’re not opposed to local decision-making. But this Bill offers no real investment, no credible delivery model, and no route to better services.”
The party claims that allowing all local councils the powers to set up publicly owned services would “divert public money from more essential functions and fail to deliver benefits to passengers”, claiming that Labour has not taken into account the important role that private sector experts play in planning routes, assessing demand and setting fares and that the move will disincentivise private investment in the UK’s transport system.
Featured image via Mistervlad / Shutterstock.
Author: Jamie Calder
