Bus companies halved since 2011, Labour claims
The variety of bus companies within the UK has halved since 2011, based on the Labour Party.
The figures, that are primarily based on annual stories by site visitors commissioners, present there have been 8,781 bus companies within the yr to March 2023, in comparison with 17,394 in 2011.
Almost 2,000 routes had been minimize because the 2021/22 interval alone, the information recommend.
However, the federal government branded the opposition‘s criticism as “misleading” – mentioning an funding since 2020 of £3.5bn into bus companies.
The Department for Transport stated elements akin to operators merging and site visitors commissioners not managing the registration of buses in some areas had performed a component within the figures highlighted by the opposition.
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According to Labour, the West Midlands was the toughest area – having misplaced greater than two-thirds of its routes.
Louise Haigh, Labour’s shadow transport secretary, stated: “The staggering decline in local bus services under this government is nothing short of vandalism against our communities.
“Millions of individuals depend on these important companies, however they’re being left with no voice as routes are in the reduction of yr after yr.
“Labour’s plans will put passengers first by allowing communities to take back control over their bus services.”
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In response, a DfT spokesperson stated: “It’s misleading to equate these figures directly with changes in the number of bus routes, when the government has invested £3.5bn since 2020 to back our buses.
“Our current £500mn enhance is capping fares till the tip of November 2024 and defending routes into 2025, serving to individuals lower your expenses on journey and bettering transport connections to develop the economic system.”
Transport Minister Richard Holden said: “This is simply one other cynical try by Labour to distract the British individuals from their appalling report on public transport.
“In Labour-run London, Sadiq Khan has increased bus fares by almost 6% and under the last Labour government bus fares rose more quickly than under the Conservatives, increasing costs for hardworking families.
“While Labour’s fare hikes are discouraging bus use, the Conservatives are backing bus customers by capping fares at £2 on over 5,000 bus routes and delivering report funding into our bus sector, retaining costs down as we halve inflation and develop the economic system.”
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Labour needs to devolve extra powers to decide on routes and scale back fares to native authorities – powers at the moment solely wielded by metro mayors.
They additionally wish to finish the ban on publicly-owned bus firms being began.
The authorities introduced an additional £300m for buses earlier this yr – however this was £90m in need of what the Confederation of Passenger Transport stated was wanted over the following 18 months.
Some £2bn was offered to the business to assist it get well from the pandemic.