Northern Mayors unite in call on government for urgent bus support

15 August 2022

In a call led by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Northern Mayors urged the Government to continue with vital support to stop significant reductions in bus services after it emerged that hundreds of services were at risk of being withdrawn or reduced in a further hit for working people and families across the North. 

The Bus Recovery Grant was introduced to support bus services during the pandemic. This ends in October, creating a cliff edge for bus companies. Mayors are working with leaders and bus operators to grow patronage but have stressed that it will take time.  

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: 

“These cuts will decimate our bus network, risk leaving people isolated and potentially unable to get to work or college.   

“At a time when people face an extraordinary cost of living crisis, the reduction and withdrawal of bus services will seriously impact our communities, raising household bills with extra travel costs such as taxis.  

“That’s why, as Northern Mayors, we’re standing together to demand Government extend this support to prevent another severe blow to local economies at a time of national crisis.”