Slam the brakes on bus cuts, demand Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats have responded to the proposed whopping 40% reduction in support for village bus services, and evening and Sunday town bus services.  The Executive report lays bare the full extent of the proposed council cuts to public transport in Bedford Borough. Subsidy for buses is planned to reduce by £600,000 a year from the current £1,479,000.

Cllr Henry Vann, leader of the Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats, commented, “This is the Beeching cuts for Bedford’s buses. Such a dramatic reduction in funding will inevitably leave many villages with little or no bus services. And that will be a disastrous for isolated rural residents without access to a car. Our town services aren’t safe either - even the off-peak services are in the firing line, with a threat hanging over evening and Sunday services. The Conservatives running the council always seem to have enough money for their pet projects – but it is the crucial everyday services that are the focus of their cuts.”

Cllr Charles Royden said, “This is a scandalous proposal.  A 40% reduction in funding is going to rip the heart out of the rural bus network.  Last year we proposed adding extra support for vital bus routes in contrast to this Conservative plan to turn it into something that will be unrecognisable to bus users.”

(Public Pack)Agenda Document for Executive, 20/11/2024 18:30  page 523