Bus stopped

BUS services are facing a nationwide crisis with the number of miles covered plummeting by almost a quarter under Tory rule.

-  ASHLEY COWBURN

Services travelled 300 million fewer miles in 2022/23 than in 2010 - a huge drop of 22% - despite buses being the most popular form of transport.

Labour's analysis of Department for Transport figures show there was also a 4.6% fall in services year on year.

Separate data for England last year also revealed about half of local bus routes had been axed since 2010, with 2,160 lost in a single year.

The revelations come as campaigners raised the alarm over bus users being unable to get to work and older people left cut off.

One woman in her eighties told the Campaign for Better Transport she has "no choice but to move house because she can no longer get to the GP".

Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, added: "There have been cuts in bus routes year on year, particularly affecting rural routes.