Campaigners call for devolved powers to save England’s bus services

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published statistics which reveal that fares have increased by an average of 61 per cent over the past decade, with usage dropping by approximately 27 million journeys in the last year.

The Campaign for Better Transport has said that power and resources should be handed to down cities and regions to improve services.

Statistics have revealed that London has accounted for half of the 4.65 billion bus journeys in England over the last year. While usage in the capital alone is rising, the overall average across the country is dropping by 1.5 per cent.

Martin Abrams, public transport campaigner said: “Since 2010, the government has made swingeing year on year cut in support for buses. These statistics show the impact of those cuts with bus services disappearing, isolating whole communities and leaving ever more people unable to get to education, jobs and other basic services.

“The Government must back up its plans to devolve transport powers in some cities and regions with proper funding. If they really care about buses, the chancellor will have to put his money where his mouth is.

“That means not pulling the rug out from under the bus industry and protecting essential funding in the spending review, otherwise whole networks of bus services could be lost.”

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