The UK government’s focus on the Ukraine war has led to a considerable neglect of transportation needs for British citizens. Bus services in certain regions of England and Wales have witnessed a drastic reduction of over 80% since 2008, as uncovered by an analysis of timetables.
This trend suggests a subtle but impactful “silent war” against bus users, particularly outside London. The current crisis can be attributed to the government’s misguided decisions. A crucial inquiry arises: What areas have experienced the most significant bus service reductions?
Research findings Â
As the Guardian reports, the University of Leeds and the charity Friends of the Earth examined the transport system. They focused on timetables across England and Wales since 2008. The study found urban and rural services had decreased by 48% and 52%, respectively. Some localities were worse than others.
An important question is: What areas have experienced the most significant bus service reductions? The findings showed a more than 80% decline in Hart, Fenland and Broxtowe. Other constituencies without constant bus services were North East Hampshire and Bridgwater in Somerset, with 82% and 81% decreases, respectively. Staffordshire Moorlands and Stoke-on-Trent North have experienced the same drop in services at 78%.
Silent war
Mike Childs, the Head of Science, Policy, and Research at Friends of the Earth, states that the current bus service crisis is characterised as a “silent war.” Childs emphasises that this conflict has persisted for over a decade, adversely affecting not only individuals with lower incomes, people of colour, and those with disabilities who are less likely to own a car but also individuals who have had to relinquish their cars due to ageing or poor health.
Reducing carbon emissions
Bus services’ smooth running helps lower car use, reducing carbon emissions in urban areas. According to the Local Government Association, Mark Kemp, President of ADEPT, says that bus services are very important in responding to the challenges presented by the Decarbonisation of Transport Strategy Plan.
Urban vs. rural areas
What areas have experienced the most significant bus service reductions? According to Friends of the Earth, urban bus services have dropped by 48% across England and Wales since 2008. However, rural buses have decreased by 52%. The local authority areas of Hart, Fenland and Broxtowe have all seen a shocking decline of more than 80%.Â
Lack of government funding
As the Local Government Association (16 Feb 2023) reports, thousands of bus routes are at risk amid funding uncertainty. An alarming number of precious bus routes could only be recovered in April with further Government funding support. The Government needs a long-term plan to keep the buses running, and councils and transport groups are warning.
Even with extra support from the Government, more than a thousand routes were lost last year. Without further support, the Local Government Association is warning that they could lose thousands more routes. This issue puts the Government’s National Bus Strategy at risk of failure.
Funding the Ukraine war, but not the UK transport system
According to the New York Times, prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Kyiv on Friday. He announced that he would send over $3 billion in military aid to Ukraine in the next financial year. The annual British package is around $255 million more than in the past two years. It is part of an effort to assure Kyiv amid concerns about a potential shortage in Western support.
As the Time reports, Britain is the second-biggest donor of military assistance to Ukraine after the US. Britain gave 4.6 billion pounds ($3.3 billion) in 2022 and 2023.
The Government pledges $3 billion in military aid to Ukraine while Brits do not have adequate bus services. As the Local Government Association says, buses play a vital role nationwide. They are very important if we make the air cleaner and meet net-zero ambitions. Bus services enable people to shop, visit family and friends, get to work and access vital services. Busses are a lifeline for many people as they face the existing cost of living crisis. Councils are warning that any reduction could result in communities being cut off. With reduced bus services, we will see pensioners needing more hospital appointments and more shoppers on high streets.
Tories are responsible
The crisis in bus services is the result of conservatives’ mismanagement. The Guardian says of the 100 constituencies with the highest decline in bus services, 82 have a Conservative MP. The data shows urban areas outside London had an average of 14 buses an hour. Meanwhile, in London, the hourly average was 120.
Mike Childs says that to reduce pollution and cut emissions, the Government must invest in our collapsing public transport system. This investment will make it easier for people to use their cars less. Then, they will switch to greener travel methods, like buses, trains and cycling.
To conclude, conservatives are aiding Ukraine at the expense of Brits’ livelihood. Their wrong policies threaten clean air and have put British households under catastrophic financial pressure.
