Rural buses backed in major report

The following feature on rural buses first appeared in the most recent edition of Landworker – you can read the full issue online here.

For the big accountancy company KPMG to back investment in public services is surely a clear indication of how important local buses are to communities across the UK, especially in rural areas.

Their latest report ‘The economic impact of local bus services’ on behalf of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) makes just such a case. All of which should prompt transport secretary Louise Haigh and local authorities to expand bus services, especially in underserved rural regions where public transport remains a lifeline.

The report highlights how every £1 invested in bus priority measures achieves £5 in economic benefits. 

Rural bus passengers generate £7.1bn in local economies through spending on retail, leisure, and commuting services. Services also support employment and education, are crucial in reducing social isolation, promote volunteering and provide health access. 

Unite bus workers working across rural communities understand how important their services are. 

Cath Mawson is the Unite branch secretary for Yorkshire Coastliner, part of the global group Transdev, which operates local and regional bus services in North and West Yorkshire including travels between Leeds and the Yorkshire coastal towns of Scarborough and Whitby taking villages along the way. 

The 840 route runs from Leeds via Scarborough to Whitby, serving numerous villages including Goathland, famous for being the location for TV’s ‘Heartbeat’. Travellers gaze out on the stunning scenery, farm animals, windmills, farmhouses as well as caravan parks and small-scale housing. It’s beautiful, especially on a sunny, slightly chilly day. One stop is just a quarter of a mile from Flamingo Land. 

“We carry a variety of travellers, enabling journeys to work and college. With the introduction of the £2 fare*, passengers travel further,” says Cath. 

This is confirmed by Melanie, aged 17, and Joe Bentley, who both make the 86-minute journey from Pickering to York to study hairdressing at college and psychology at university respectively. Neither can yet drive. 

“There is a college bus but on days when I don’t need to be there early I can take the 840 bus for just £2,” states Melanie. 

Bentley adds “It’s very affordable, at £2 a trip. I currently attend university on three days a week. When I finish I hope to do a job that helps people.”   

Cath continues, “Our Coastliner route exceeds three hours passing through many rural villages, supporting tourism. We are a lifeline for people without transport. We may have relatively few passengers, but they rely on us to do their shopping and attend medical appointments because we are the only affordable way to travel.” 

Cath, a former teacher, has been a Unite steward for three years and says she welcomes the “opportunity to help and support members and to get their voice heard with management”. 

Cath is also involved in wage negotiations which have this year raised pay to £15.73 an hour with rates set to rise to £16.28 in 2025. 

We meet passenger Brenda Lees who is an 840 bus regular. She says, “I am hoping that my dentist check-up will show I don’t need any treatment.” 

And Laura, who is prevented from driving due to a rare syndrome, moved to her parents’ house in Thornton Le Dale 30 years ago for “a few months but stayed because it is beautiful and public transport is good”. Coming back from the Co-op in Pickering, she adds, “Shopping there is affordable, but only because I can use the bus rather than having to pay for a taxi.” 

Two years ago, the Malton-Whitby part of the 840 route was under threat of being withdrawn in April 2023. A local campaign was run and immediately collected over 1,300 signatures in a few days. 

BBC Look North news interviewed passenger Cathy Morgan, who was part of the fight to save the service. She was left with epilepsy because of a stroke. “Like my other elderly neighbours I rely on the bus, which today I am using to make part of a journey to York, getting off the bus at Malton and getting the train as it is quicker, to make sure I am on time for an important appointment. I also use the buses for social activity like trips to the coast. 

“We are fortunate to have the bus and the drivers are also warm and welcoming,” explains Cathy, who was delighted when the campaign stopped any reduction in the 840 service. 

According to Cath, “for the older generation especially, social interaction is often an important part of their journey. They see regular drivers as a friendly face who they can have a chat with. 

“This interaction is vital for people who may live alone in quite isolated places. The ability to leave the house and interact with others is a massive positive for mental health.”

To enhance these services the CPT report advocates targeted investment in rural buses. 

Cath agrees. “Rural bus journeys always risk being cut on cost effective grounds. But their value goes way beyond the financial by allowing people freedom to participate in everyday life.

That includes passengers such as Christopher Heriot, who uses “the bus a lot for days out to Scarborough and York to have some fun and to catch the sea and sunshine.” 

Says Cath, “Support is imperative to ensure bus operators continue to operate. Bus drivers see the positive impact our service makes with people living in these villages and it is a privilege to know we are making a difference to their daily lives.”  

The Rural Services Network have backed the report’s conclusions with chief executive Kerry Booth stating “we must ensure rural communities are not left behind. Investing in better bus services is critical to unlocking rural prosperity and helping rural communities.”

Unite has been working hard to ensure that bus drivers get the pay they deserve across the country, as recent wins demonstrate, and that the “staggering level of abuse” some experience is tackled. 

*Fare correct at time of interview

By Mark Metcalf

Photos by Mark Harvey