The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Concern at large drop in city bus journeys over past five years
More than 1.5 million fewer passengers in Peterborough
The number of bus journeys in Peterborough has reduced by more than 1.5 million a year over the past five years.
In 2014/15 there were 11.1 million bus journeys in the city, compared to 9.4 million in 2018/19 according to newly released figures by the Department for Transport, with the annual total reducing every year for the past five years.
The reduction comes despite Peterborough aspiring to be the UK’s Environment Capital and the city council earlier this year declaring a climate emergency.
Cllr Nick Sandford, leader of the Liberal Democrat group at the council, said: “These figures are very concerning. Ten years ago bus patronage in Peterborough was increasing. Now, after two rounds of swingeing cuts in subsidy by the Tories bus use is falling.”
The majority of bus services in the city are run by Stagecoach East, with a few run by Delaine Buses.
Some commercially unviable services are funded by the council, although in December 2018 the cash-strapped authority run by the Conservatives voted through a cut of £150,000 for subsidised buses.
A council spokesperson said: “The number of bus journeys being made in Peterborough has decreased in recent years, mirroring figures for many towns and cities across the country.
“Since 2010, the council has experienced substantial cuts in funding from central government and has had to make difficult decisions to protect frontline services.
“Like many councils we have unfortunately had little choice but to reduce the amount we spend on subsidised bus services. However, during the past few years we have invested substantially in sustainable transport, including improvements to the city’s cycle networks and installing electric car charging points.”
Leader of the council’s Green Party group Cllr Julie Howell said: “I’ve heard some councillors describe Peterborough as a ‘car city’. Given our aspiration to become an environmental capital this is embarrassing.
“Peterborough residents will never make the switch while they perceive buses to be too expensive, too unreliable, too infrequent, too dirty and too slow.”