Responding to the inclusion of a Better Buses Bill in the Kings
Speech, Graham Vidler, CEO for the Confederation of Passenger
Transport says,
“The bus industry will work closely with the new Government to
help transform the sector and to help realise its key priorities
for economic growth, swifter decarbonisation, and more
sustainable travel.
“Bus services are already being transformed in many parts of the
country and CPT urges local leaders to use the extensive
opportunities they already have to influence and shape the
delivery of better bus services. Existing ‘enhanced partnerships'
are growing networks, improving the passenger experience and
boosting passenger numbers in places like Leicester, Portsmouth
and Norfolk.
“CPT and its members will continue to work closely with the many
authorities that want to retain a partnership model to deliver
what passengers want - more bus services that are regular, fast,
and punctual. We will also share lessons from the early adopters
of bus franchising with ministers, mayors and regional or local
transport authorities to help ensure success in other areas that
choose this option.
“No amount of regulatory change will deliver better
services unless local, regional and national governments move
swiftly to give buses priority on the road network, curb
congestion, and persuade more people to switch away from private
car journeys and towards public transport.
“Whoever controls bus networks, stable long-term investment in
the sector will be critical. Immediate action must prevent a
cliff edge return to fully commercial fares when the £2 fare cap
ends in December – a scenario that will harm passengers and
services.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Confederation of Passenger Transport is the trade association
for the UK's bus and coach sector with around 900 members.
A Better Buses Bill is expected to deliver the Labour
Government's manifesto commitment to reform the bus system by
lifting the restrictions on new publicly owned bus operators and
by giving local leaders throughout England new powers to
franchise bus services and develop better bus networks that
reflect the needs of the local communities.
CPT set out its key priorities for the new Government in a
manifestos for bus published in January 2024.
Driving Britain
Forward outlines six key points to unlock the
economic, net zero and social wellbeing potential of buses.
- A five year funding settlement for the UK bus sector
- Targeted measures to keep fares low when the national fares
cap ends at the end of 2024
- National and local targets to increase bus speeds
- A new statutory, funded definition of essential bus services
- A long-term government-industry partnership to drive the
transition to zero emission bus travel
- A workforce strategy led by industry, supported by government
