GMB calls on government to save our buses and bus routes

GMB calls upon the Government to urgently address the growing funding gaps facing local services in the provision of bus services in the East of England and commit to sustained resourcing of the buses network across the country to help those in most need to get to work and meet the challenges of this decade and beyond says GMB London

At Congress today, Tuesday 8th June a motion was passed that calls on the government to improve the service quality and funding of the UK’s buses network.

In recent years, outside of Greater London, the operating costs for running bus services in the East of England has increased, the number of people making journeys has declined, the number of cars on our roads has increased and bus routes have closed. All this at a time of climate change.

Steve Garelick, GMB London Region Organiser, said:

“GMB members working within the industry have been saying for years that more investment in people and capital is desperately required, as well as a change in the culture of rewarding fat cats and corporate failure that we have come to expect of privatised public transport services.

“Councils often rely on subsidies to provide these services but due to years of funding cuts and now the overwhelming costs of the pandemic, funding local bus services is very low on the list of funding priorities.

“Buse services are a valued and essential public service for cities, towns and rural areas that should be properly funded and that is why GMB policy is that buses should be brought back under local authority control with adequate funds to be run as a service for people.”

GMB calls upon the government to urgently address the growing funding gaps facing the provision of bus services in the East of England and to commit to sustained resourcing of the buses network across the country to help those in most need travel to destinations otherwise inaccessible.

In March 2012 the government launched ‘New levelling up and community investments’, GMB will monitor the impact this programme will have on bus services in communities affected by lack of funding and provision of these local transport services.

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Contact: Contact: Steve Garelick, GMB London Region Organiser 079 6776 3980 

Notes to editors

Text of the motion carried by GMB Congress:

SAVE OUR BUSES AND BUS ROUTES

This Congress notes that

• the bus service is an essential part of the commuting and recreational transport system of the United Kingdom.
• there is a move in Government and Opposition to improve the service quality of the UK’s buses network.
• the level of investment and the way that the buses network and market has been structured for decades, has led to a postcode lottery in terms of bus coverage.

Where rail systems are limited in the extent the bus service can fill the gap, keeping cars off the road and reducing pollution. A “decent bus” service connects people who might otherwise become isolated and promotes mental wellbeing. The words used are “decent bus services”.

GMB members working within the industry have been saying for years that more investment in people and capital is desperately required, as well as a change in the culture of rewarding fat cats and corporate failure. Councils often rely on subsidies to provide these services but there is not enough money.

In recent years, outside of Greater London, the operating costs for running bus services has increased, the number of people making journeys has declined, the number of cars on our roads has increased and bus routes have closed. All this at a time of climate change.

• Congress believes that if the country’s buses network is to be levelled up a change in culture and a massive uplift in resources is needed to make the industry fit for the current age. This Congress calls upon the Government and Opposition to

• urgently address the growing funding gaps facing local services in the provision of bus services.

• commit to sustained resourcing of the buses network across the country to help those in most need to get to work and meet the challenges of this decade and beyond.

Barking & Dagenham Branch