Description
The party has pledged to give more control over routes and fares to local communities. The Labor Party has revealed plans to fix England's 'broken' bus system. The party has vowed to hand more control over routes and fares to local communities by publishing an analysis showing thousands of services have been cut under the Conservatives.
He said Britain is one of the only countries in the developed world where bus operators have these powers, while authorities in the areas they serve have no say.
Communities face a crisis
Labor intends to give all transport authorities the opportunity to take responsibility for services and speed up the process.
This power is currently only available to metropolitan mayors.
Bus minister Richard Holden said it was "another no-cost transport policy for workers".
Labor also plans to reverse a ban on communities establishing their own municipal bus network, which was introduced in 2017.
Legislation for these reforms will come via a Take Back Control Act in the first King's Speech from a Labor government.
Labor analysis of figures released by traffic commissioners shows that the number of bus routes in England fell from 17,394 on March 31, 2011, in the first year of the coalition government between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats, to 10,941 from the same date last year.
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh, who will travel to Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, on Friday to set out the plans, said: 'The millions of people who rely on our buses are failing.
“Communities are facing a crisis, and disengaged conservatives just don't get it.
“The workforce will fix our broken bus system, and we will do it by handing over power and control of bus services to the communities that depend on them.
Graham Vidler, chief executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, a trade association for bus and coach operators, said: "We welcome Labor's approach to buses, and the industry looks forward to working with them on the details of their proposals." .
“Long-term investments in buses and measures to put them first on our road network are essential.
Holden said: 'This is another no-cost work transport policy where ordinary people will have to foot the bill.
“They want bureaucrats to run bus services instead of bus companies, and not to mention funding, city taxpayers will end up paying.
"Typical job: more taxes, more officials, no benefits for workers."
Access
