Passengers to meet councillors in campaign to save York & North Yorkshire’s buses

Bus users will today (Monday 19 October) meet with councillors in an online public meeting to call for action on York & North Yorkshire’s failing private bus network.

An NHS worker, a bus factory workers, a pensioner and disabled user will be among the speakers who will give personal testimony to show how private bus services are failing local communities.

The meeting, organised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), is part of the Better Buses for Yorkshire campaign, which aims to bring our buses back into public control and ownership.

Council leaders Keith Aspden and Carl Les have declined the 70 invitations sent from local residents asking them to attend. York city council deputy leader Andy D’Agorne, and Cllr Fenton are attending instead,

The union body’s analysis of DfT data shows that North Yorkshire has lost 5.3 million miles of bus route since 2014, in a stark display of the failure of the privatised model of bus provision.

Further data shows York and North Yorkshire bus services have seen 5 million fewer passenger journeys since 2009, and 3.1 million fewer elderly and concessionary passenger journeys since 2009.

One hundred local residents have written to their council leader raising concerns about cuts to services, and council leaders have been invited to a virtual public meeting to hear these concerns face to face.

Gareth Lewis of the TUC said “Our bus system is in crisis. 

“Buses in Yorkshire should be run to serve our community, not for the benefit of private operators. But right now we face a funding cliff edge, with hundreds of services at risk.

“It is deeply disappointing that council leaders have chosen not to attend this public meeting. York council leader Keith Aspden talks about how important buses are to fight the climate emergency, so why won’t he meet residents to discuss their concerns?

“The Better Buses for Yorkshire campaign is ready to work with councils to change the privatised system that is failing working people.

“Right now, public money goes straight from government to private operators, with local councils having little say over routes, timetables, or services. We need that money to come directly to councils, so decisions about bus services can be made closer to those it affects.

“The government needs to fully fund services, including infrequent and socially necessary routes. We cannot let the poorest pay the price for a failing system.

“Public control is the best way to ensure that decisions about bus services are made by local people, for local people”

ENDS