Government funding ‘vital’ to maintaining Bristol’s local bus services

Transport bosses have welcomed a last-minute funding lifeline that will help save “vital” bus services from being axed.

The government’s announcement of £150m national pot to keep bus and light rail networks running in the wake of the pandemic comes weeks after a grave warning from the First West of England managing director of further cuts if support was not extended beyond March.

Speaking after ministers confirmed more funding will be available until October, Doug Claringbold said the additional support will be vital in maintaining services, with passenger numbers down compared to before the pandemic.

Details of the breakdown are yet to be released but it is hoped the government money will mean cuts to services can be reversed.

Welcoming the announcement, metro mayor Dan Norris said we now urgently need more people to start using buses again, warning it is a “use it or lose it” situation.

Transport bosses have welcomed a last-minute funding lifeline that will help save “vital” bus services from being axed – photo: Martin Booth

“Finally there is some 11th-hour common sense from the government,” said Norris.

“But why did it take so long? I was calling for this back in September last year. So much heartache could have been avoided.

“As always, the devil will be in the detail. I await further information on exactly how much of this cash is specifically for our region.

“Now we urgently need more local people to start using the buses again – it’s that old adage – use it or lose it.”

The Labour metro mayor said more fare-paying passengers will make buses more commercially viable and help to tackle congestion and air pollution.

Dan Norris is urging people to start using buses again – photo: WECA

Some £2bn of government money has been allocated to keep public transport operators running through the pandemic. Ministers say this latest £150m pot represents the final tranche of pandemic-related support and will run until October this year.

The funding is dependent on local operators and councils co-designing a “financially sustainable and passenger focussed public transport network, that works for changing travel patterns post-pandemic”.

Claringbold said: “We welcome government’s recognition of the importance of transitional funding support for the bus industry and look forward to seeing more detail on the proposals.

“This support is vital to help maintain services for customers and communities as we recover from the pandemic. Customers’ travel habits and commuting patterns continue to evolve and we will continue to work closely with local authorities to develop joint plans for our networks.”

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Main photo: Ellie Pipe

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