A think-tank has accused councils of ‘penny pinching at the cost of older people’s wellbeing’ over public transport.
A new report from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) says the decline in bus routes is a key cause of loneliness in older people, particularly in rural areas.
The report says poorly designed bus stops are also causing major problems, with many older people feeling unable to use buses if there are no seats and no shelter where they wait.
The CSJ claimed that the needs of older people are often ‘forgotten by local authorities determined to cut costs’.
Its report calls on the Department for Transport to work with councils to produce guidance for the design of bus shelters so they are accessible for older people, and continue its commitment to creating a transport network that supports social connections.
Senior CSJ researcher Josh Nicholson said: ‘Our communities need decent, proper bus stops. Councils are penny-pinching at the cost of older people’s well-being.
‘Disgraceful short-term planning and dwindling public transport provision are isolating our older generation and causing rising loneliness and mental health problems.’
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said councils provided a range of services to tackle loneliness but had needed to make ‘difficult decisions’ amid ongoing funding pressures.
They added: ‘Reduced funding for local bus infrastructure has caused a loss of bus routes and thus a decrease in the number of people using these services.
‘Recent additional funding from the Government has alleviated some pressures, but councils continue to face the challenge of increasing bus use to pre-Covid levels.’
