Bus funding

Today the Campaign for Better Transport reported that, because of the proposed cuts over the next four years, bus provision could end up in tatters. Outside of a few well known places, I think that our bus serive is pretty much there already.

I think each person has their own view about what constitutes a good bus service. Because I was raised in London my expectations might be rather high. I expect to wait less than five minutes for a bus – perhaps ten minutes late in the evening. I expect a service throughout the week including Sundays. I expect not to have to pay cash. I expect to get on and off at will – not when the bus driver chooses to open the doors. I expect the driver to be welcoming and to drive well – without harsh stops and starts. I expect the traffic lights to change to green as my bus approaches. I expect no cars to be in front of my bus. I expect comfy seats and free wifi. I expect the other passengers to kind and polite. I expect my travel to be valid on all buses and local trains without the effort of multi purchase.

As my local bus service does not attain any of these standards it is no surprise that have never stepped onto a bus in my home town.

Not quite true. I have just remembered I got on a local bus once. We have a bus museum in our town and every year they do a circuit around the place. I grabbed the chance of travelling, on top and at the front of a fifties London Transport RT bus – the precursor to the iconic Routemaster. I rarely get the chance to view my town from the top of a bus.

But if we want a decent bus service – and I think we should – then it would take serious investment. Why not divert money from the trains and pass some of the tax on motorists over to bus users?

Congestion charging could pay for bus services without asking for extra help from the taxpayer.