More than 100 bus routes in England face cuts and cancellations
At least 135 bus routes across England have been lined up for cutbacks or closures this summer as councils and bus operators grapple with falling passenger numbers, staff shortages and funding constraints.
Changes to services include reduced frequency, fewer stops and some routes being cancelled. Among the proposed cuts, some of which have already been implemented, are 16 routes in London, 25 in Liverpool and about 40 across the north-east.
The cuts come after bus route coverage in England fell by more than a quarter between 2012 and 2021, according to figures from the Campaign for Better Transport.
Many of the latest cuts are being blamed on falling passenger numbers after the pandemic, but rising costs are also an issue, while cuts in Kent are also related to a shortage of drivers.
Labour’s transport secretary, Louise Haigh, said: “Communities across the country have been shafted by the Conservatives. Many won’t see any of the funding that the Tories promised to improve shockingly bad bus services – meaning our already unacceptable service will get worse and worse.”
The government’s national bus strategy was launched in March 2021 with thepromise of £3bn of investment, but most of this went on supporting the industry through Covid. Only £1bn has been awarded to regions to fund their bus service improvement plans, with more than half the regions that submitted funding bids receiving nothing at all.
David Renard, transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said: “There’s no doubt that the pandemic has accelerated existing trends in declining bus passenger numbers.
“Emergency government funding has helped keep buses on the road during this period. Passenger numbers will take longer to return to those seen before
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