Bus services in a “death spiral” as number of bus routes halved since 2019

EMBARGO: 22:30 SUNDAY 27 APRIL

• Lib Dems warn bus services are in a “death spiral” as average of five bus routes are scrapped a day 
• New analysis reveals 10,000 bus routes were cut between 2019 and 2024
• Ed Davey calls on government to scrap £3 bus fare cap rise and rescue local bus services on the brink

The number of bus routes across the UK has almost halved over the past five years, with over 10,000 routes slashed, shocking data commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

The House of Commons Library research shows over 10,500 bus services have been scrapped between 2019 and 2024. In the most recent year, almost 2,000 bus routes have been scrapped, the equivalent of five bus routes being lost a day.The West Midlands has been the worst impacted - with a shocking 72% cut in bus services for the region since 2019. This was followed by the North West where 52% of bus services have been cut.

It comes as the Liberal Democrats call on the government to reverse the £3 bus fare cap rise that came into force in January, which has faced a backlash from communities across the country ahead of the local elections on 1st May. The Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords pushed for the Government to reverse the bus fare hike and restore the £2 fare cap this month. This amendment was rejected by both Conservative and Labour peers.

The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to protect bus services which are so vital to rural communities commuters and families. The party is calling on the government to scrap the bus fare cap hike and introduce a Young Person’s Buscard.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“For so many people buses are an absolute lifeline, allowing them to get to school, work,

shops or the hospital. But vital local bus services are in a death spiral, with rural communities particularly badly hit as routes are slashed.

“We have had years of Conservative neglect, and now Labour’s damaging £3 bus tax is hitting people in the pocket who rely on public transport to get around.

“The government needs to scrap their £3 bus fare hike and invest in rescuing bus services on the brink. Every vote for the Liberal Democrats at the local elections on 1st May is a vote for a strong local champion who will fight for the local services communities need.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The House of Commons Library data can be found here (Source: Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain, Traffic Commissioners' annual reports, Table 13)

The Liberal Democrats are proposing a Young Person’s Buscard, which would be similar to the Young Person’s Railcard, for 19 to 25 year olds, giving them a third off bus and tram fares.