Dozens of bus routes could be axed when pandemic fund ends
GOVERNMENT CASH AIMED AT PROTECTING SERVICES DUE TO STOP IN OCTOBER
DOZENS of bus routes in West Yorkshire could be scrapped or drastically reduced later this year when Government funding ends.
Some routes are “not generating sufficient revenue to operate on a commercial basis” from October, and a new report into the sustainability of the local bus network has raised serious concerns about how services will cope when the funding – introduced to support bus operators through the pandemic and amounting to around £1m a month, ends in October.
The funding was made available to keep bus services afloat at a time when there were vastly reduced passenger numbers due to lockdown and social distancing.
Despite many restrictions having now been lifted, passenger numbers are just 70 to 80 per cent of what they were pre-Covid. Reduced passengers have led to reduced income, and along with rising fuel costs there are fears some routes may not survive – with operators prioritising the most profitable routes.
It comes as bus passengers already face major disruption as a strike by Arriva drivers enters its fourth week.
A Sustainability Review of the bus network carried out by West Yorkshire Combined Authority will be discussed at a meeting of its Transport Committee on Friday. The report says: “Eleven per cent of the bus network (measured by mileage) is currently not generating sufficient revenue to continue to operate on a commercial basis once the funding ends in October.
“This could impact up to 62 routes where some or all of the journeys could be withdrawn.
“There is therefore a risk that bus operators feel it necessary to withdraw or reduce services.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “I’ve been pressing Government ministers and will continue to make the case for further funding for bus operators beyond October.
“I also hope the bus companies will understand this is a transition period and that they will need to take some of the financial strain.
“The people of West Yorkshire deserve a service that serves all our communities rather than only running the routes that make substantial profits. We and Government supported the bus companies throughout Covid. I hope they will now step up and stay the course to deliver our ambitious programme of investment in our bus network.”