Posted by 
The new Labour government’s plans to give local leaders the opportunity to take control of bus services have been hailed in Preston.
Louise Haigh, the new Transport Secretary following Labour’s landslide victory last week, visited Greater Manchester yesterday (11 July) to meet Andy Burnham.
In that visit, she discussed how Greater Manchester’s Bee Network of buses could be replicated in other areas of the country. The Bee Network is under the control of local government and has seen passenger numbers grow.
Read more: The 20 roads in Preston and South Ribble with the most pothole reports and the total repair bill
The move has been met with positivity locally – where the ruling Labour party had committed to exploring the possibility of a new bus company in its 2024 manifesto.
Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, told Blog Preston: “I am absolutely delighted to see the removal of the ideological ban of public ownership of buses announced so soon by the new Labour Government. Our manifesto for the 2024 Preston City Council elections committed our Labour Council to explore establishing a new municipally owned bus company through this legislation.
“We will need to examine the specifics as to whether the city authority will deliver this or if Lancashire County Council are open to the idea. Either way we are committed to ensure Preston residents have a public option available because evidence shows current examples such as Nottingham City Transport (NCT) have high standards, are often cheaper and operating profits are ploughed back into improving services to benefit the entire community”.
One goal of the plan is to deliver more reliable bus services for people – but another is that more people using public transport has climate benefits.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: “Buses are the lifeblood of communities, but the system is broken.
“Too often, passengers are left waiting hours for buses that don’t turn up – and some have been cut off altogether. Change starts now. This new Government will give local leaders the tools they need to deliver better buses up and down the country.
“Our plan will create and save vital bus routes by giving every community the power to take back control of their bus services through franchising or public ownership.
“We are already seeing how the Bee Network is delivering for people across Greater Manchester – we will ensure every community can enjoy the same benefits.”
John Potter, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Preston, supported any help the government could provide to bus services in the city, but said he would like to see alternatives discussed for bus services where they are not viable, the £2 cap on fares maintained and one integrated fund for local authorities for switching to zero-emissions vehicles.
He told Blog Preston: “Preston, like many places in the country, is struggling with inadequate bus services. All areas of city would benefit with an improved bus system, from rural villages to our growing suburbs.
“If the new government is serious about improving bus service then that is a good thing for Prestonians.”
Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
