Written evidence from R J Farron (BUS
61)
1. The Bus Service Operators' Grant (BSOG)
ensures that essential public transport links are maintained,
especially between rural and urban areas. For some users these
links are the only method of transport for employment or everyday
purposes. For other users, bus services provide a relatively cheap
transport mode compared with private transport modes. Whilst a
reduction in providing this may be necessary to reduce the Government
deficit, alternative methods of reducing bus service operating
costs should be considered.
2. Bus services and community transport
schemes in particular, are vital for reducing social exclusion
throughout England as well as playing an important part in reducing
congestion and carbon emissions from private vehicles. The removal
of important rural services, as a result of reducing BSOG, removes
a transport link for people who do not have access to private
transport modes and rely on rural bus services on a daily basis.
3. Coupled with increases to fuel prices,
the reduction of BSOG will result in the removal of essential
services and in some areas entire service networks could be severely
reduced. Both the Campaign for Better Transport and the Local
Government Association, among others, highlight the negative effects
associated with the removal of the BSOG.
4. Where services are not removed, fares
will increase to cover the costs of non-profitable but essential
services. These increases will create another barrier and serve
to reduce the effect of campaigns promoting the switch from private
transport modes to public transport modes.
5. The overall consensus of the bus industry
is that these reductions are deeply worrying for passengers and
operators. If operators receive less revenue due to BSOG reduction
they will be looking to reduce mileage and/or increase fares.
This will lead to a modal switch towards private transport modes.
6. The reduction of BSOG to bus operators
could be mitigated by an exemption of fuel duty for all bus and
coach operators. This is arguably a more effective way that the
Government can help the industry if they remain committed to doing
this.[48]
7. The negative effect of removing bus services
will cause an increase in private vehicle transport ownership/usage,
leading to further increases in congestion and emission outputs,
running counter to the Government's carbon and congestion reduction
targets. Furthermore, an increase in the number of private vehicles
on the roads as well as the number of trips generated may result
in an increase in fatal and non-fatal accidents.
8. With bus services regarded as inflexible
by private vehicle users, the removal of non-viable routes and
services would serve to further degrade the image of the bus industry
and the important role it has within society.
9. A potential positive effect of the reduction
in BSOG is an increase in innovation regarding "green"
buses and fuels. This may occur as bus companies seek to reduce
operating costs by introducing cheaper, more efficient buses/fuels
or hybrids. This effect is unlikely to be realised in a suitable
timeframe to negate the removal of essential services.
February 2011
48 Chris Cheek-BSOG abolition: making a crisis out
of a drama? 4/9/2010
http://taspublications.co.uk/blog/?p=313
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