BUSTED SERVICE

'Silent war' on public transport blamed for catástrophic decline

- NADA FARHOUD & ADAM ASPINALL

BUS services outside London have been hollowed out in the past 15 years, research shows.

While provision in the capital is almost unchanged, it has been slashed in many towns and villages.

Services are down more than 60% in 80 local authority areas.

Researchers from the University of Leeds, on behalf of Friends of the Earth, analysed every bus timetable in England and Wales since 2008.

They found the number of urban services had fallen an average of 48%, with rural services down 52%.

Worst-hit regions are the East Midlands, with a 60% drop, Wales (57%) and the North East (52%).

Friends of the Earth said it was a "silent war on bus users".