Tonight, the Liberal Democrats tabled a motion on bus services.
A recent report from Friends of the Earth reveals that bus services in Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) have been cut by 60% since 2010—the sharpest decline in the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) region. This drastic reduction has left many vulnerable residents—elderly people, disabled individuals, and young people—without access to essential transport.
The Greens have long warned that poor management and a lack of collaboration between BANES and WECA are driving this crisis. The recent Best Value Notice highlighted the fractured relationship between the two authorities. Alarmingly, Freedom of Information requests reveal that no emails have been exchanged between BANES and WECA about buses since March 2024, despite the Notice’s call for improved cooperation.
“This motion claims to put bus users in BANES first,” said Green Councillor Saskia Heijltjes. “Yet, under this administration, funding was slashed for rural bus services, while Bath services continued to receive support. It’s hard to see tonight’s motion as anything more than a distraction from months of inaction and a reaction to Labour’s recent national bus fare hike.”
The Greens argue that a fare cap, while well-meaning, is an inadequate response to the systemic challenges. “A fare cap is only effective if buses turn up—and right now, they don’t,” Cllr Heijltjes continued. “Bath University students regularly report ghost buses, and rural areas remain neglected, often lacking even basic infrastructure like pavements, benches, or timetables at bus stops.”
The Greens reaffirm that fixing BANES’ transport system requires addressing deeper structural issues. Without WECA’s franchising report, even setting a sustainable fare remains speculative. “We don’t even know if £2 is viable—should it be £1? £10? Any decision without proper data risks wasting money on a failing system,” added Cllr Heijltjes.
The Greens are calling for an end to political posturing and a renewed focus on collaboration. They propose establishing a Passenger Transport Executive to bring accountability to the system, amplify passengers’ voices, and lay the foundation for franchising—a proven solution in cities like Greater Manchester and London.
“Franchising integrates ticketing across operators, ensures fairer fare structures, and holds bus companies accountable for reliable services,” said Green Leader Councillor Joanna Wright. “It gives local communities a seat at the table and creates a transport system that works for everyone—not just those in urban centres.”
“This council must stop using transport as a political football and start delivering real solutions,” Cllr Wright concluded.