Transport groups warn of ‘Beeching-style’ bus cuts

Britain’s local bus networks are at risk from ‘Beeching-style’ cuts if the Government withdraws the only direct national funding as part of its spending review, a coalition of pro-public transport groups warned today (Monday 12 July 2010).

Bus operators, transport campaigners and unions have written to Transport Secretary Philip Hammond to warn of big fare rises, services cuts and job losses if the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) is scrapped.

They fear a decision could be made in weeks to cut BSOG, formerly known as the Fuel Duty Rebate (FDR), which rebates bus operators for the fuel duty they pay in running local registered bus services. It also covers many rural, school and socially important services.

Letters have been sent to all 533 MPs in England, while an Early Day Motion supporting retention of BSOG for the most widely used form of public transport has also been laid down in Parliament.

Stephen Joseph, Executive Director, Campaign for Better Transport, a co-signatory to the letter, said: “Scrapping BSOG could do for Britain’s buses today what Beeching did for the UK rail network in the 1960s.

“In many areas, it could tip buses into a spiral of decline with fare rises, falling patronage and service cuts, all with impacts on some of the poorest in society. It would trap people into dependence on cars and add to local traffic problems. Pensioners could find themselves with free bus passes but no buses on which to use them.“

Shaun Spiers, Chief Executive at the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), said: "Cutting the bus grant may look like a quick way to slash spending, but the social, environmental and economic costs to the countryside would be huge in the long term.

“Those unable to drive could be forced to move out of rural areas or face isolation, while those living car-free in towns may be cut off from the countryside. Closed pubs and post offices would be joined by derelict bus shelters, the final straw for the vibrancy of many villages."

Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, said: "We have attracted 15% more passengers to greener bus travel in the past five years. We have done it by offering the best value fares in Britain, investing hundreds of millions of pounds in new buses and passenger improvements, and working in partnership with local authorities.

"Independent research shows that every pound spent on BSOG delivers up to £5 in wider benefits to our communities.

"Scrapping it would mean a huge, regressive tax hike for bus passengers, would cost jobs and be bad for business.

"The worst impact would be on the pockets of the poorest in our society whose bus services are a lifeline and it would put many smaller bus operators and other suppliers out of business."