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Passengers in England have raised concerns over rural bus services that have reached a historic low frequency, with over 25% of rural routes cut over the decade to 2023, according to a report by the County Councils Network. Furthermore, passengers have also pointed out that the £2 cap on bus fares in much of England will increase by £1. Many of the complaints are focused on poor service reliability, including a lack of digital screens and live app updates for bus routes outside of cities, as well as instances of “ghost buses” advertised on live displays at bus stops that never arrive. Poor rural bus services also have wider financial implications and are reportedly costing firms, with businesses cut off from public transport and their employees having to find alternative routes to work.
One possible solution being considered by the UK Government is franchising the service. This would mean that councils could control the bus routes, timetables and fares, with operators bidding to run the services for a fixed fee. Things have changed significantly since buses outside of London were deregulated and privatised over 30 years ago. However, some claim that this franchising system is not suitable for all communities and that it works best when a council area includes both urban and rural parts.
Campaigners also argue that bringing the entire bus network into the 21st Century and simplifying funding would give the public more confidence in the service and make them more likely to use it. Cllr Adam Hug, transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, suggests that “streamlining bus funding into a single, long-term pot would give councils greater control over services and spending and residents more long-term certainty over future services.” The Confederation of Passenger Transport, which represents bus operators, accepts that passengers face a mixed picture depending on where they live and recommends that better technology at bus stops is the responsibility of local councils, although they acknowledge that many would struggle to find the money to upgrade them given their tight budgets and the sheer number of stops across the country
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