The annual number of bus journeys being taken in England has fallen by more than 300 million in five years, figures show.
Analysis of Department for Transport figures by the Local Government Association (LGA) – which represents councils – showed 4.31bn journeys were made in 2018/19, compared with 4.63bn in 2014/15.
The LGA commissioned a survey of 1,105 people from England, which suggested that 69% of residents think councils should be the main decision-makers on bus services.
The organisation believes giving councils oversight of local bus services would enable them to maintain and improve them, as well as protect routes so older and vulnerable people “don’t get left behind”.
Earlier this year, it warned that nearly half of routes are at risk of being scrapped due to a lack of funding.
In April, Labour stated it would invest £1.3bn per year “to reverse cuts made to 3,000 bus routes by the Tories since 2010 and to fund the expansion of new bus services”. Jeremy Corbyn said:
Bus services have been devastated by nine years of austerity. Thousands of routes have been axed, fares have soared and passenger numbers are in freefall.
Reinstating bus services across the country will provide a lifeline to many people, particularly the elderly, the vulnerable and people living in rural areas who have been totally cut off as a result of their bus services disappearing.
The group claimed that councils are filling a £652m gap between government funding for the free bus pass scheme and how much it costs.
Free bus passes for off-peak travel are a legal entitlement for people aged over 65, or those with a disability.
But budgetary constraints mean councils are spending less on discretionary items such as free peak travel, post-school transport and supported rural services.
LGA transport spokesman David Renard said:
Councils want to protect local bus services, which are a vital service and can be a lifeline for our most vulnerable residents, whether that is to go shopping, collect medication, attend doctor appointments or socialise with friends.
The continuing decline in bus journeys emphasises the need to protect bus services and for councils to be able to invest in funding subsidised routes.
Renard continued:
Not only will this make sure we can provide bus services to those who rely on them, but it can also help to reduce congestion and improve air quality by reducing the number of vehicles on our roads.
As our polling also shows, the vast majority of residents want to see councils take control over how bus routes operate in their local area.
With proper funding and by giving all councils oversight through automatic franchising powers, councils will be better placed to boost ailing passenger numbers and enable more people to use the bus services they rely on every day.
