Better bus services call as numbers plunge

The Government has been accused of having a "blind spot" over bus services after an official report detailed how passenger numbers have plunged over the past decade.

The National Audit Office (NA O) said the reduction had happened despite the Department for Transport's (DfT) long-stated aim to increase bus use.

The watchdog said the DfT will need greater clarity on what it wants to achieve and how it will measure success, if its new national strategy for improving bus services is to succeed.

The NAO report said that, between 2010-11 and 2018-19, the number of bus journeys fell in 65 of 88 English local transport authorities outside London and by 10% overall.

It said that, the COVID-19 crisis led to a drastic reduction in bus travel and has created uncertainties about future travel habits but it will likely remain an essential mode of transport for many.

Meg Hillier, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, said: "Buses are the only option for public transport across much of the country.

"But they have been in DfT's blind spot for far too long.

"The DfT needs to set out how it wants bus services to change and give the sector and other departments a detailed roadmap to get there."

Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said the decline in bus use is the result of deregulation industry were socially necessary, but unprofitable, routes are cut.

He added: "Deregulation of our bus industry has been a complete failure.

"It is farcical that the Government prohibits local authorities from setting up their own bus companies."