Bus Users UK’s Director for England, Lydia Horbury, has welcomed a new report from the National Audit Office on behalf of the Department for Transport, and the accompanying statement from the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, on Local Bus Services In England.

The report found ;ocal bus services in England have continued to decline and that efforts to revive routes and attract more passengers had so far failed, with a 15% fall in the total miles operated by buses outside London since 2019 and passenger numbers still 9% below pre-Covid levels.

“This report confirms what our passengers, communities and local stakeholders have been telling us for years: that our bus network – used more than any other form of public transport – is still not working for the people who need it most,” she said. “At its best, the bus is an engine of inclusion. It connects people to work, education, healthcare, community and opportunity. Yet, as the report makes clear, the long-term decline in local bus services, compounded by pandemic-era pressures and fragmented short-term funding, has pushed these vital services to a breaking point in many areas. The result is a growing gap between those who can choose how to travel and those who cannot.”

Bus Users UK says it is especially concerned by the report’s findings on the steep decline in concessionary journeys. A 29% fall in journeys made by older and disabled passengers is not just a statistic – it’s a warning light for equity, dignity and access. Without sustained, long-term support, many of these passengers risk being stranded. That’s why we’re calling for urgent reform of the English National Concessionary Travel (ENCT) scheme, starting with lifting the restriction on peak-time travel for disabled pass holders. For many people, particularly those needing to attend work, education or early medical appointments, the current off-peak limitation makes the pass unusable. If we want buses to be a genuine lifeline, the policy must reflect the lived realities of the people who rely on them most.

it has listed the report’s recommendations that it strongly supports, calling for:

• Clarity of national vision: Passengers need to see real improvements, not just announcements. DfT’s upcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy must set out a bold and coherent case for buses as a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive mobility.
• Investment in local capacity: Local transport authorities need both the funding and the people power to design services around real community needs. This includes accessible engagement with passengers—especially disabled and disadvantaged users—when making decisions about routes, fares and priorities.
• Reform of funding:The move towards longer-term, consolidated grants is welcome. We urge DfT to go further, ensuring that funding is tied to meaningful passenger outcomes, not just outputs.
• Sustainability and decarbonisation: Buses must be at the heart of the UK’s net-zero ambitions. We support the expansion of zero-emission fleets, but rural areas and smaller operators must not be left behind in the transition. A green bus that doesn’t run is of no use to the people waiting at the stop.

“Above all, these reports remind us of the urgent need to rebuild trust in the system,” Ms Horbury says. “Passengers need to know that buses will turn up, be affordable, and meet their access needs. That means prioritising reliability, co-production and accountability at every level of planning and delivery.

“We will continue to champion the voices of passengers and fight for a bus network that is not only viable, but sustainable and worthy of public confidence. Because a well-run bus network doesn’t just move people, it transforms lives, strengthens communities and unlocks opportunity for all.”

(Picture – Bus Users)