Vital role of bus services
I am writing to ask your readers to join the efforts of the Women’s Institute to ensure local communities have the bus services they desperately need.
These next few months are crucial to get their views heard on improving bus services in their area.
Bus services play a vital role in ensuring communities remain sustainable, helping to reduce social isolation and carbon emissions, and ensure access to employment, education, local facilities and health services.
Our WI “Get on
Board” campaign seeks to raise awareness of the importance of local bus services and the impact of cuts on communities – and we need more to join us.
Since 2010, local authorities have faced budgets cuts which have put pressure on the delivery
of local services including libraries, children’s centres and bus services.
According to the Campaign for Better Transport, council bus budgets have been cut by 25% since 2010.
Local authorities across England and Wales were found to have taken £182 million away from supported bus services in 10 years, affecting more than 3,000 bus services in England.
Over the next few months, Local Transport Authorities and Bus Operators in England will be producing Bus Service Improvement Plans for your area.
There are many ways your readers can get involved to ensure their views are heard on services, timetables, routes, integration with rail, ticketing and other areas related to bus services.
They can take part in consultations, get in touch with their local transport authority and bus operators, and speak to their local
Women’s Institute branch.
For more information visit www.thewi.org.uk/geton-board
“These next
few months are crucial to get their views
heard.”
Ann Jones, Chair of The National Federation of Women’s Institutes.
104 New Kings Road, London. SW6 4LY.