Talking Point: Rural bus services
As cuts hit rural bus services, leaving many villagers stranded, we investigate why so many routes are closing and ask what can be done
The old adage that you wait hours for a bus and three show up at once sadly isn’t the case for many countryside dwellers. Indeed for many rural communities it’s increasingly a case of never seeing a bus, let alone three of them. Since 2005, council supported bus services in rural parts of the country have reduced by 40 per cent, leaving many communities that rely on the transport high and dry. It’s no wonder the cuts are being dubbed the Beeching of the buses, comparing them to Dr Beeching’s hacking back of railway services in the Sixties. The issue is that rural bus routes that meander through picture-postcard countryside, picking up the odd passenger from every quaint hamlet may sound charming, but it isn’t very profitable. This means the big commercial bus companies such as Arriva or First, who get to cherry-pick the most lucrative bus routes to serve, typically don’t want anything to do with little rural bus services. Instead these countryside routes are left in the hands of small independent companies, generally subsidised by local councils. But when council budgets are stretched to breaking point, often one of the first things that have to go are these unprofitable rural bus services which are scaled back or in some cases, cut altogether. Lianna Etkind, from the Campaign for Better Transport, says: “Rural buses provide millions of people with everyday transport. They're a lifeline, connecting people to work, shops, friends and family, and are essential to many people's independence. The decline of rural buses is having a devastating impact on rural communities. And it’s outrageous that at the same time as we’re being urged to reduce our carbon footprint and make better use of public transport, hundreds of bus routes are being cut.” So is there anything we can do? The good news is that the Government has introduced a Bus Services Bill to Parliament, which would give local authorities stronger powers to plan and protect their local bus services. “You can write to your local MP and ask them to support the Bill, explaining why your bus service is so important,” adds Lianna.
For more information visit www.bettertransport.org.uk/ save-our-buses or call 0207 566 6489. What do you think? Write to us at the address on page 3.