Between Subsidy and Reform: The Long Road to Saving Britain's Buses

The latest budget plan from the UK government has sparked debates about the future of public transportation in England. In particular, the proposed increase in the subsidized maximum fares for bus journeys from the current two pounds to three pounds has elicited mixed reactions. While the measure promises the appeal of cost-effective support to alleviate living expenses, it is difficult to assess without broader reforms. The regulation of bus services outside London has been a focal point of discussion since the deregulation under the Transport Act of 1985. Many argue that the quality of bus services in cities like Manchester and Nottingham has suffered since then. Historically, however, a consistent decline in passenger numbers was already observed before the reforms of the 1980s. To enhance the attractiveness and reliability of bus services, the Labour Party outlines a plan to transfer decision-making powers back to local authorities, similar to London's model. This could help make bus services more efficient, but the concurrent budget cuts at the Department for Transport cast a shadow on the prospects. Without new financial resources or greater fiscal decentralization, the implementation of this vision remains uncertain.