Western Morning News (Saturday)
‘Bus Back Better’ funding bid aims to boost services
AMBITIOUS proposals to upgrade bus services and cut fares across Devon and Cornwall have been unveiled.
Devon County Council’s ruling cabinet when they meet on Wednesday are recommended to approve a £34 million bid to the Government under its post-Covid improvement programme, Bus Back Better.
The proposals will form part of a major public consultation exercise to be launched in Devon in November, which aim to make buses cheaper to use, greener, more frequent and more reliable.
A report on the bus service improvement plans is also set to go before Plymouth City Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, but no agenda papers for the item have yet been published.
The plans are being developed in partnership with Devon’s bus companies, and would expand the “Devon Bus” brand to develop a common identity for the bus network in the county, including ticketing.
And recognising that travel patterns do not match local authority areas, Devon County Council is working with neighbouring local authority transport teams.
Working with Cornwall Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council, those involved have already highlighted improvements to cross border connections and possible collaborations for fare initiatives, while they are holding similar discussions with Dorset Council and Somerset County Council for the eastern side of Devon.
An additional £7.5 million could also be spent on bus priority measures to speed up journey times in the main urban areas like Exeter, Exmouth, Barnstaple and Newton Abbot and improving bus stops and other infrastructure in the rest of the county. Devon County Council’s cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, Cllr Andrea Davis, said: “The County Council has always been a strong supporter of public transport and we managed to maintain financial support for our buses when other councils were cutting funding. This is an exciting and ambitious opportunity to put local bus services at the heart of the future transport network in Devon and offer a real alternative to private transport which will enhance the County Council’s commitment to be net carbon neutral by 2030.
“Buses are the main form of public transport in Devon. They provide services to a large range of people, many of whom don’t own cars or have any other means of transport.
“The opportunity to bid for this extra Government funding will provide a quantum leap in how the bus service operates in the future.”
She said improving local services would go hand in hand with cutting fares and that would create a virtuous circle.
“If we can make bus travel better value it becomes a more attractive option which can only lead to an increase in passenger numbers,” she said.
Dave Black, head of planning, transportation and environment, in his report to the cabinet, added: “The County Council has remained a strong supporter of public transport and maintained financial support over a number of years.
It welcomes the opportunities the National Bus Strategy brings to build on our commitment and looks forward to being able to improve the network in the future.”
“The recommendations and suggested improvements set out in this document are an exciting and ambitious opportunity.”
Extra funding will provide a quantum leap in how the bus service operates CLLR ANDREA DAVIS