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LGA responds to survey of subsidised bus services by the Campaign for Better Transport

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Responding to a survey by the Campaign for Better Transport about subsidised bus services, Cllr Peter Box, LGA Transport spokesman, said:

“We have long called for the concessionary fares scheme to be fully funded to ease the pressure on stretched council budgets and protect cherished bus services.

“Councils have a statutory duty to provide free off-peak travel for elderly and disabled residents through the concessionary fares scheme. It provides a lifeline for our most vulnerable residents to go shopping, pick up medication, attend doctor appointments or socialise with friends. However, these bus services are now under real threat.

“Years of underfunding of the scheme have forced councils to spend millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to subsidise it. This is now impossible with councils having to make savings while struggling to protect vital services like adult social care, protecting children, filling potholes and collecting bins.

“Councils know how important buses are for their communities and local economies and are desperate to protect them. Instead, many across the country are reluctantly taking difficult decisions to scale back services and review subsidised routes as a result.

“The way the concessionary travel scheme is funded by Whitehall has long been unfit for purpose and has not kept up with growing demand and cost. Unless the Government commits to fully funding concessionary fares, vital bus services that support the most vulnerable in our society will continue to come under pressure. The Bus Service Operators’ Grant – a fuel duty rebate paid directly to bus operators by the Government – should also be handed to councils.”

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