CAMPAIGN Rural buses
RURAL BUSES BACKED IN MAJOR REPORT
Unite drivers provide essential lifelines
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 pictured 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 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.
22 uniteLANDWORKER Winter 2024
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.”
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