Buses 'Progress' over franchising amid fears of cuts

PROGRESS has been promised "shortly" on bus franchising but campaigners are warning of looming cuts to services in the West of England.

- Alex SEABROOK

Several bus services in the wider Bristol region are paid for by the taxpayer although some of these only have funding confirmed until next April.

Supported bus services are funded through a mix of a transport levy, which local councils pay to the West of England Combined Authority, and a bus grant from the government. This cash is then paid to bus companies to operate services which don't make them a profit.

One prominent campaigner said the region needs an extra £15 million to keep the current supported services in place. This is partly due to rising costs, such as higher pay for drivers and fuel getting more expensive. One service at risk is the Y8 in South Gloucestershire.