WIREDGOV

Local Government Association Transport spokesman Cllr Martin Tett says handing councils control over the Bus Service Operators' Grant would help them support vital routes and ensure more people continue to use buses.

"While it is great news that more people in some areas are using buses, these cherished services remain under threat as councils continue facing severe budgetary pressures following 40 per cent reductions in core government funding in the last Parliament and increasing demand for statutory services, such as adult social care.

"Handing councils control over the Bus Service Operators' Grant – a fuel duty rebate paid directly to bus operators by the Government – would help them support vital routes and ensure more people continue to use buses, as would properly funding councils to administer the statutory free bus pass scheme, for which there is at least a shortfall of £200 million."

View report:  Bus renaissance under way in some UK towns and cities

Notes

DfT traffic forecast 2015