Why A Decline In Bus Routes Matters At The Next Election

The number of local bus routes in England has halved since 2011, according to new figures researched by the Labour Party.

- SEAN O'GRADY

Louise Haigh, Labour’s shadow transport secretary, has squarely blamed the government for the dispiriting trend: “The staggering decline in local bus services under this government is nothing short of vandalism against our communities. Millions of people rely on these essential services, but they are being left without a voice as routes are cut back year after year. Labour’s plans will put passengers first by allowing communities to take back control over their bus services.”

Labour claims that there were 8,781 routes in operation during the year to the end of March, compared with 17,394 in 2010-11. The figures, derived from annual reports by the independent Traffic Commissioners, suggest more than 2,000 routes have been cut since 2021-22 alone.

The West Midlands has been the hardest-hit region for lost bus routes since 2011, with more than two-thirds cut. Labour promises to give all local transport authorities more powers to choose routes and reduce fares.

Is it the government’s fault?

Yes and no. One main cause of rationalisation of bus routes, which is continuing apace, particularly in rural areas, is falling passenger numbers and journeys, and these took a hammering during the pandemic, for obvious reasons. Social changes that were underway before the onset of Covid, such as the trend to flexible working and shopping online, accelerated greatly during the emergency. The bus trade suffered as a result, and while things have recovered in terms of bus usage, Labour is right to say that the number of routes has been in continuous fall – roughly halving since the Conservatives came to power in 2010.

Why the decline in bus routes?