Kevin Foster today received a response from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport - Jesse Norman, regarding the Petition to Save the Number 65 Bus that he presented in the House of Commons on Wednesday 6th November.
In his response, Mr Norman recognised the concern of inadequate transport provision, such as the loss of the Number 65 Bus, but acknowledged the right of local authorities to choose whether to subsidise bus services in light of other spending priorities they may have. However, he then goes on to detail the funding options available to local authorities, emphasising that the Department for Transport provided around £40million of Bus Service Operators Grant funding even with which Torbay Council has chosen to remove the Number 65 bus. He finishes by encouraging local authorities, including Torbay Council, to work together with Bus operators in order to deliver the greatest benefit for the local community.
You can read his full response below.
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Jesse Norman):
I recognise the importance of public transport for both the sustainability and independence of communities. Inadequate transport provision is a very real concern and can be a barrier to the prosperity of all.
Where there is not enough demand for a bus route to be commercially viable in its own right, all local authorities in England have powers to subsidise bus services which they consider socially necessary.
Decisions on subsidised bus services are a matter for individual English local authorities, in the light of their other spending priorities. We fully appreciate that local authorities are making difficult choices as a result of continuing financial pressures.
The majority of public funding for local bus services is via block grant provided to local authorities in England from the Department for Communities and Local Government. The Department for Transport also provides around £40 million of Bus Service Operators Grant funding directly to English local authorities to help deliver bus services, of which Torbay Council receives around £22,450. Councils can use this money to support bus services in whatever way they see fit.
The Bus Services Act 2017 introduced a number of new tools to help local authorities improve local bus services in their area. Through partnership arrangements we have enabled local authorities and bus operators to work more constructively together to provide better services for passengers.
I strongly encourage local authorities and bus operators to work together, in consultation with local residents and businesses, to identify local transport solutions that meet the economic and environmental challenges faced in the area and deliver the greatest benefits for the community.