I welcome Rishi Sunak’s appointment as Prime Minister. Already the markets have reacted positively, with the pound surging nearly two per cent on Tuesday. We should be in no doubt: our country faces a profound economic crisis and difficult decisions are coming. But investors recognise that Rishi Sunak will confront our challenges with competence, candour and integrity. That in turn will allow us to deliver a strong economy and fair society in the long term.
Here in Cheltenham, I have had several meetings since the summer with Stagecoach’s Managing Director to protest about the poor bus service in our town. The delays and cancellations are completely unacceptable and have resulted in people being late – or missing completely – school, work and important medical appointments.
From analysing the data and speaking to many Stagecoach drivers, it is clear that the number of passengers using Cheltenham routes has dropped significantly since Covid. In many cases the reduction is over 25%. That is putting pressure on the service, despite large public subsidies being pumped into already unprofitable routes. That said, Stagecoach could and should have done more to recruit drivers.
They have now published an action plan detailing how they will restructure to provide a more reliable service. That will involve a number of route changes, and I have been clear that communities and key arterial routes must not be left struggling with an inadequate service. Access to the hospital, crucially during visiting hours, must also be retained.
Where Stagecoach are proposing to withdraw routes, such as the 93 and F service, I welcome the decision by Gloucestershire County Council to seek alternative providers.
On the broader point, the Government’s new bus strategy backed by £3 billion is the most ambitious shake-up of the bus sector in a generation. Last autumn the Treasury committed £1.2 billion to deliver London-style services, fares and infrastructure improvements, as well as funding for zero emission buses.
Despite the drop in passenger numbers, buses must remain a key part of Cheltenham’s transport infrastructure.