Portsmouth should have affordable and reliable bus services

I know that for many people in Portsmouth, especially the young and the elderly, local bus services are a lifeline.

Their role is vital and deeply valued by our communities, increasing access to services and reducing loneliness.

However, in Portsmouth, routes can get withdrawn or redrawn while fares go up.

Cuts to bus services have a profound impact on disabled and elderly bus users.

Whether it’s connecting with family and friends, getting to hospital appointments, or just doing the weekly shop, buses are key for so many in our city.

I’m really concerned about the changes we are seeing which is why earlier this week I hosted an event in Commercial Road with the senior team at First Bus and launched an online survey to hear from fellow Portsmouth people about the impact these have on everyday lives.

The Campaign for Better Transport confirm that funding for supported buses has been halved in the past eight years.

This is no way to build the public transport network our environment and our city need. Cuts have consequences. Despite the south-east and south-west England being the only regions in the country to see the number of bus journeys increase in the past decade, Portsmouth has seen the second largest decline in the country.

There’s been a staggering 17 per cent reduction in journeys in the past three years.

While cutting and withdrawing services worsens congestion, air pollution and our impact