MPs have urged the Government to set out a clearly communicated vision for local bus services in England, amid concerns over accessibility for elderly and disabled passengers.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report highlights a decline in bus journeys outside London, with overall services down 15% since 2019 20 and concessionary trips by older and disabled people still 29% below pre-pandemic levels.
While welcoming the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ambitions for improved connectivity, reliability, accessibility, speed, and safety, the report notes that outcomes and timelines remain vague.
Evidence to the inquiry points to persistent barriers, including inaccessible travel information, ticketing systems, bus doors, and service cuts that have affected independence for older passengers.
The PAC also criticises short-term, fragmented funding — £5.9bn between 2019 20 and 2024 25 across 13 schemes — and calls for reform that supports local authorities, particularly in rural areas, and encourages uptake of concessionary passes.
The Committee recommends the Government address these issues with clear plans, investment, and measurable outcomes.
PAC chair Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP said: ‘We are now twelve years into what feels like a softly-softly approach from government to reforming its overall bus funding landscape. There is much to welcome in Government’s ambitions for improved bus services, but vague aspirations do not amount to a clear strategy.
‘Only a clear vision from the centre – and, for councils, guidance on differing models of running services and proper accountability – can arrest further decline across the country.’
A DfT spokesperson said: ‘With the passing of the landmark Bus Services Act into law this week, better buses are on the way. We’re putting power back in the hands of local authorities to ensure passengers, including disabled and elderly people, are at the heart of more reliable and dependable services, and increasing protections to prevent routes being scrapped at short notice.
‘On top of our £3 bus fare cap making buses across the country affordable, this vital legislation will ensure services are now designed around the needs of local communities and follows our £1bn commitment in this financial year alone to improve the reliability and frequency of buses across the country, to better connect communities and boost the economy.’
