MP calls for new bus funding to be spent on rural routes

Thornbury & Yate MP Claire Young has said that the new £1billion of funding announced for support bus services must be used to deliver a minimum level of service for rural areas, instead of it being funnelled into urban areas which are already well served.

Speaking in the House of Commons today (Monday), the Liberal Democrat MP pressed the Secretary of State on how this new funding should spent and said the funding must be used to ensure rural communities across South Gloucestershire have a regular local bus service.

In response, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said that she agreed with Ms Young and that the funding should be directed at supporting the provision of buses in all areas and used to deliver regular services.

Speaking afterwards, Claire Young MP said:

“Almost everyone I speak to across our area tells me the same thing – that hiking the bus fare cap is irrelevant if there is not a bus service you can use.

“Too many people now no longer have a regular local route, leaving them cut off and struggling to get to work, school, and to access health services.

“Time after time we’ve seen more funding funnelled into urban areas like Bristol, which already have a robust range of bus services, whilst rural areas like ours are ignored.

“That’s why this new funding must be directed at protecting the remaining services we have and bringing back those vital routes that have been lost in recent years.

“Anything less would be a slap in the face for our area. I will be putting pressure on the Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority to ensure this happens.”