UK100 response to Transport Committee inquiry on buses connecting communities

UK100
UK100
Transport
Decarbonising Transport
In UK100's response to the Transport Committee's inquiry on "Buses Connecting Communities", we outlined key priorities for improving bus services in England, particularly in rural areas. As a network of 116 local authorities committed to rapid net zero transition, we called for devolved local transport powers, dedicated rural funding streams, and reformed long-term funding models to create sustainable, accessible bus services nationwide.

UK100 has submitted a response to the Transport Committee's inquiry on "Buses Connecting Communities", which examines how to improve bus services in England, particularly in rural areas.

As a network of 116 local authorities committed to accelerating the transition to net zero, UK100 outlined three key priorities for reform:

  1. Greater devolution of powers to local authorities, enabling them to effectively plan and manage bus services with appropriate funding and support for innovative solutions like demand-responsive transport
  2. Specific policy reforms and funding mechanisms that address unique rural challenges, including higher operational costs and lower population density
  3. Reform of funding models to establish long-term, non-competitive funding streams and explore alternative approaches like revenue-sharing

UK100 highlighted several critical issues in the current system:

  • The negative impact of deregulation, leading to service cuts on unprofitable routes
  • The need for better coordination across local authority boundaries
  • Misaligned incentives in the Bus Service Operator Grant that undermine fuel efficiency and electrification
  • Challenges in delivering integrated transport solutions

The submission showcased successful initiatives such as Wiltshire Council's on-demand bus service and Bristol's Winford Pioneer scheme as examples of innovative approaches to rural transport. UK100 emphasised that improving bus services is crucial for both decarbonising transport and ensuring social equity, particularly in rural communities.

Overall, UK100 called for a transformation in how bus services are funded, managed and delivered, with local authorities playing a central role in creating sustainable, accessible public transport networks that serve all communities.

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