Bad buses ruin work chances

LOW-INCOME families are missing out on jobs because of unreliable buses that are too expensive, a study found.

Bad services mean people are unable to guarantee punctuality over longer commutes and so are at risk of the sack.

Researchers at Sheffield Hallam and Sheffield Universities found people in poorer parts of Greater Manchester and Leeds were willing to travel long distances for work but felt blocked by lack of public transport in a report for anti-poverty charity, Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Ed Ferrari of Sheffield Hallam University said: “Buses are the backbone of local public transport and the key to employment and training opportunities.”

Since 2010 bus funding has dropped £182million, fares have risen 13% above inflation and 3,347 routes have been cut.