Yesterday, big changes were announced for Devon-wide buses:
Stagecoach making changes to its bus services
However, the Mirror reports today that things are not looking so good:
Bus services have been plunged into damaging decline because of spending cuts, an all-party committee of MPs warns.
Labour, transport unions and campaigners accused Prime Minister Theresa May and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling of refusing to acknowledge there is a problem.
The Daily Mirror’s Save Our Buses campaign stands up for local bus routes and defends them from damaging funding cuts leaving passengers angry and frustrated. But since 2010 passenger numbers have slumped by 10% while bus services have been reduced and fares have increased by 32%, well above the rate of inflation.
Despite buses being the most popular form of public transport, the report paints a picture of steady decline amid “uncoordinated, fragmented government policy and squeezed funding for local authorities.”
Nearly three out five journeys by public transport are on buses, but passengers are getting a poor deal say MPs as there are long-term funding plans for rail and roads, but not buses.
And the House of Commons’ Transport Committee is calling for a “national strategy” for buses to give passengers a better deal. The strategy should make bus services more passenger focused and provide value for money, help to bring more people, especially young people, onboard.
Bus services services plunged into damaging decline by Tory cuts, MPs warn
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