18.12.17
Grayling: Buses could be replaced with ‘Uber-style’ services
Transport secretary Chris Grayling has suggested that local bus services could be replaced with an ‘Uber-style’ system.
In comments made during an October meeting between Grayling and LGA officials, the secretary explained that service provision would be changing over the coming years.
Speaking with Lord Porter, chairman of the LGA, and Martin Tett, the chair of its transport board, Grayling said there could be a move toward “demand-led” services.
He commented: “The nature of bus provision is likely to change over the coming years, with more Uber-style, demand-led services replacing traditional services.”
The LGA reported last week that bus passenger numbers had fallen to their lowest level in a decade, down to 4.4 billion passengers across the country in 2016-17.
This is a drop of around 70 million journeys in the country in the year to March – a decrease of 1.5%.
Grayling’s plans have been greeted with criticism from the opposition, as Labour’s shadow transport secretary, Andy McDonald, said bus services were a “lifeline” to many people in society.
“For many people, especially the young and the elderly, those living in rural areas and those who do not own a car, bus services are a lifeline, but rather than addressing the buses crisis, Chris Grayling’s solution is to say let them take taxis,” McDonald stated.
“Nobody wants to see Uber replacing local bus services except Chris Grayling.”
In addition to an overall fall in passengers, buses in England travelled 1.1% fewer miles in the same period, a decline which the LGA puts down to local authorities no longer being able to fund many support services.
When the figures were revealed last week, Tett said: “It is hugely concerning to see such a steady decrease in bus journeys.
“Buses provide a vital service for our communities and a lifeline for our most vulnerable residents to go shopping, pick up medication, attend doctor appointments or socialise with friends. Councils know how important buses are for their residents and local economies and are desperate to protect them.
“It’s nearly impossible for councils to keep subsidising free travel while having to find billions of pounds worth of savings and protect other vital services like caring for the elderly, filling potholes and collecting bins. Faced with significant funding pressures, many across the country are being forced into taking difficult decisions to scale back services and review subsidised routes.”
He also called on the government to provide more appropriate funding for concessionary travel schemes, and give councils full control over the Bus Service Operators Grant.
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