"It's no good having cheap fares for buses that don't exist." - Adrian Ramsay
In response to government plans to cap single bus fares in England to £2 this winter, the Green Party are calling for massive public investment to provide a "genuine bus revolution" which would allow everyone to have access to expanded and high-frequency bus networks. Further to this, Greens are calling for the proposed fare cap to be made permanent, rather than the current six month plan, by diverting £27bn away from building new roads in order to better invest in huge improvements for public transport services.
Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay says:
"Boris Johnson's planned bus revolution got stuck in neutral, indeed many communities across England have seen bus services go into reverse. But a genuine bus revolution, creating an expanded, high frequency and sustainable bus network to all corners of England, is possible. It's a question of priorities. We say axe the damaging £27bn road building programme and divert this money into supporting buses.
"While a temporary £2 cap on single bus fares is hugely welcome and is an important move to help address the cost of living crisis this winter, it must come with fresh funding - councils cannot be expected to foot the bill. We also need such a cap to be permanent, not temporary.
"It is also no good having cheap fares for buses that don't exist. So the fares cap policy must be matched by massive public investment in the bus network as well as an improvement in pay and conditions for bus staff to tackle the shortage of drivers facing the industry."