MP gets on board fight for city buses
With traffic congestion worsening in the city centre on weekends, Bath’s MP is seeking to use her leverage to avert a bus crisis.
In the past week, Ms Hobhouse met both Transport Minister Baroness Vere and managing director of First Bus Doug Claringbold.
Buses are under the control of West of England Combined Authority Mayor Dan Norris and central Government but the Bath MP is hoping to use her influence to address the issue.
In the meeting, Mr Claringbold raised concerns about funding from central government, shortages of bus drivers, and over people not wearing face masks. He reiterated the importance of wearing a face covering while on board and Ms Hobhouse and Mr Norris are backing calls to make this mandatory.
Mr Claringbold is concerned that the Recovery Funding and financial support provided - which ends in April - was based on the assumption that patronage would grow by an amount which has not been realised.
Ms Hobhouse said: “Ultimately, we want to avoid any local bus services being cut. There is a cliff edge approaching in April and government support must look to address this gap.
“Some residents are avoiding using buses because they can see that not all bus passengers are wearing face masks, putting others at risk.
“With Covid cases still high, people feel safer in cars. The Government should make it mandatory for passengers on all public transportation to wear masks.”
Mr Claringbold said: “The last few months have been challenging given the national driver shortage, high levels of sickness and staff having to selfisolate when necessary to protect both our customers and colleagues.
“We have been grateful for the financial support from the Government given through the pandemic. Buses have a massive role to play in providing connected transport to communities and addressing the climate emergency.
“However, the future remains uncertain with the level of bus patronage across the country being less than previously anticipated and financial support to the current network ending in April next year.”
B&NES Council cabinet member for climate and sustainable travel Sarah Warren said: “Government must provide more financial support to help bus services get back on their feet and deliver a service that matches our ambition in response to the climate emergency.
“We need to get more people feeling happy and confident to go on buses in the knowledge that they are both safe and reliable. I support calls for mandatory face coverings on public transport and look forward to working to bring back Bath’s buses.”