Maidstone Green Party are calling on the government to extend the Bus Recovery Grant beyond the end of March and to allow Kent to move to a London style approach to bus service provision to stop the ‘meltdown’ in services[i].
The grant has provided support for bus operators impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in England.
There are threats to subsidised services already after cuts by Kent County Council and now commercial operators have announced that 21 services are to be withdrawn even if the Bus Recovery Grant is retained[ii].
Maidstone Green Party campaigner, Stuart Jeffery said, “Bus services are in meltdown and we demand urgent action is taken to reverse and strengthen these vital public services.
“Over 500 people have signed our petition against KCC bus cuts but unless operators continue to receive the Bus Recovery Grant to help them retain services and continue to build back passenger numbers after the pandemic, we fear the worst. Many of our bus services provide vital connections to shops, hospitals, business parks, schools and colleges. If there are severe service cuts, the old and the young in particular, will be left isolated. We urge people to respond to KCC’s consultation.”
In the longer term, Greens are calling for a London-style system where fares, routes and timetables are managed by local authorities instead of private operators.
Stuart added “Private bus operators are driven by profit. This has put the interests of shareholders above passengers and resulted in poor pay and working conditions for drivers. As Greens we want to see local authorities have the power to ensure bus services reflect all the principles of a public service, including setting routes, frequencies and fares.
“Boris Johnson promised £3 billion of investment in bus services[iii]. It’s clear the government must not only honour that pledge but go further, retaining short term grants and enabling local authorities to truly take back control of services.”
“We must see the levels of investment needed to end ‘transport deserts’ and ensure every village is provided with an hourly bus service that will increase social mobility and equality[iv].
Notes:
[i] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bus-service-cut-department-for-transport-b2014200.html
[ii] https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/bus-companies-announce-20-kent-6718158