MP launches campaign to protect local bus services

Thornbury & Yate MP Claire Young has today launched a new grassroots campaign, aimed at securing the future of local bus services – including those that operate across county borders.

The campaign comes in the wake of uproar over new reductions in key services including the axing of the 84/85, which was formerly joint funded by both South Gloucestershire Council and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

Liberal Democrat MP Claire Young, who was the leader of South Gloucestershire Council until being elected in July, has said that more needs to be done to bring both those responsible for operating the buses and those that fund the buses together to ensure more services are not lost.

Her campaign also calls for exploring how some previous routes that have been scrapped can be brought back into service for the growing number of communities who no longer have a local bus regularly.

Commenting, Claire Young MP said:

“For too long, residents across our area have seen their bus services stripped so far back that many no longer have a reliable and regular service they can rely upon. 

“When I was the Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, I did all I could to protect our bus services - but the failure of the West of England Combined Authority to develop a long-term solution has meant even some of our most vital routes have now been cut.

“This is a huge issue, which makes it harder for people to access work, school, and local healthcare services, and more needs to be done to reverse this damaging decline. This starts by getting those responsible for our buses together around the table.

"That’s why my new campaign aims to show the strength of feeling from local people and act as a wake up call for those who have the power to save our buses.

“This will allow us to explore where we can work together to keep services running and give us a much stronger bargaining position to push for more funding from central Government - particularly as we expect the new Autumn Budget in just a few weeks' time.

“I urge everyone who wants a fair deal for bus users to back my campaign and help make your voice heard.”