Norwich Greens are calling on the government to extend the Bus Recovery Grant to prevent a ‘meltdown’ in services. The grant has provided support for bus operators impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in England but is due to end on 31st March. However, with passenger numbers still on average 30% lower than pre-Covid levels the loss of the grant is predicted to lead to a 30% cut in services [1].
Councillor Denise Carlo said:
“Bus services face meltdown unless operators continue to receive the Bus Recovery Grant to help them retain services and continue to build back passenger numbers after the pandemic. Many of our bus services provide vital connections to shops, hospitals, business parks, schools and colleges. If there are severe service cuts, as predicted, the old and the young, villages and estates, will be left isolated.”
Looking forward, Greens are calling for a London-style system where fares, routes and timetables are managed by local authorities instead of private operators.
Councillor Carlo added:
“The private bus operators are driven by profit. This has put the interests of shareholders above passengers and resulted in poor pay and working conditions for drivers and an emphasis on only the most profitable routes.”
“As Greens, we want to see local authorities have the power to ensure bus services reflect all the principles of a public service, including setting routes, frequencies and fares. Boris Johnson promised £3 billion of investment in bus services [2]. The government must honour that pledge and go further, starting by retaining short term grants and then enabling local authorities to truly take back control of services.
“Some services for villages and estates are already subsidised by local authority grants – because the local authority understands that these services are an absolute lifeline for those communities. But not all local authorities have the means to do this.
“We must see the levels of investment needed to end transport poverty and ensure estates and villages have an hourly bus service that will increase social mobility and equality [3].
“We also want to see the government encourage local authorities to drive a shift away from private cars towards public transport and active travel. Smart road pricing and measures such as a Workplace Parking Levy – successfully adopted in Nottingham – can help encourage this shift and raise funds to improve bus services.”
Further information from:
Councillor Denise Carlo 01603 504563 d.carlo@cllr.norwich.gov.uk
Notes:
[1] ‘Third of bus services could be cut within weeks’ without emergency government funding
[2] Prime Minister launches £3 billion bus revolution
[3] A bus for every village, every hour is possible – CPRE
Norwich Green Party has ten councillors on Norwich City Council, where it forms the main opposition party, and three on Norfolk County Council, representing the wards of Mancroft, Nelson and Thorpe Hamlet in Norwich.
