Yesterday I took part in a Westminster Hall debate on rural bus services, so vital for much of the a south Devon constituency.
Two thirds of national funding goes to urban services, yet in rural areas buses are quite literally a lifeline for many.
Research from the Confederation of Passenger Transport measured the economic benefits buses bring, finding that every £1 that Government spend on better services and bus priority schemes can secure economic benefits of up to £4.55.
But on top of the economic case there is a social and health case for better services - linking those who don’t or can’t drive to friends and family, health services and social activities. There is also the huge environmental gain to be had from people using buses rather than cars - which many would do if services were more frequent and reliable.
Subsidising buses may cost money, but in the end it saves more due to the multitude of benefits better rural public transport brings.
Sadly the minister simply repeated that he wanted to give local authorities more control over their own provision - with no hint that rural funding might get a boost.
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