Lib Dems challenge Burnham on bus funding as they demand fair deal for Shropshire

Shropshire Liberal Democrats have challenged Andy Burnham to back a fairer national funding deal for rural bus services, warning that counties like Shropshire are being asked to do more with less while fighting to protect vital routes.

In an open letter to the new Prime Minister, Council Leader Heather Kidd and Cabinet Member for Transport and Regeneration Rob Wilson call for a funding framework that better reflects the realities of delivering public transport in rural areas.

The intervention comes after a cut of more than £200k in government funding for local bus services, with council bosses warning that the current funding framework risks leaving rural communities behind.

While major cities have benefited from significant investment and new powers to reshape their bus networks, Shropshire's leaders say rural authorities have missed out. They also face very different challenges: maintaining services across vast geographic areas, connecting
small and dispersed communities, and supporting residents who often have few, if any, alternative transport options.

Council Leader Heather Kidd said: "For many people in Shropshire, buses are not just about convenience. They are a lifeline.
They connect people to jobs, schools, healthcare, shops and family and friends. When a rural bus service is lost, the impact can be huge.
"We have worked incredibly hard to protect essential services despite a cut in the money we receive from the Labour government. But the long-term answer must be a fairer funding model.

“Andy Burnham has spoken repeatedly about the importance of buses. And he’s said that he wants to help places, including rural communities, that have been left behind. Now’s his chance to prove that these are more than just warm words.”

The letter points out that under Conservative governments and council administrations, between 2015 and 2023, the number of miles you can travel in Shropshire by bus fell by the largest amount in England, with a 63% decrease in bus miles over the period. It highlights how
Lib Dem controlled Shropshire Council has protected vital services in the face of government cuts and rising costs. But it points out that it has only been able to do so by withdrawing some low-use services and prioritising routes that have the highest social and economic benefits. The letter also calls on the Prime Minister to review the way in which government funding for local bus services is allocated.

Councillor Rob Wilson said: "Buses are a critical part of everyday life for thousands of Shropshire residents. They prevent
isolation, support local economies and provide access to essential services.

“We're asking Andy Burnham for a funding system that recognises the specific challenges and
needs of rural areas.”