Reduced passenger numbers could lead to big service cuts without a national Government-led campaign to get people back on board, transport campaigners say.
One year after the Government's national bus strategy, Bus Back Better, Campaign for Better Transport has warned that without a concerted effort by the Government to boost passenger numbers, bus funding will go to waste.
Out of the £3bn promised by the strategy, the Government has only allocated £1.15bn. While it is currently unclear how this will be shared between local authorities, all 79 local transport authorities in England submitted Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs), which outline how they intend to transform local bus services.
Campaign for Better Transport is warning that unless the Government steps in with a campaign to attract passengers back to public transport, the £1.15bn to improve local buses could instead end up being used to prop up existing services that are no longer commercially viable.
Silviya Barrett, head of policy at Campaign for Better Transport, said: ‘Bus Back Better was commendably ambitious, recognising the importance of buses to improving social equality, boosting economic activity and protecting the environment. But unless passenger numbers recover, those ambitions could end up withering on the vine.
‘That’s why we're calling on the Government to run a national campaign to encourage people back on board and give buses a bright future.’