Bus services cut disproportionately in deprived areas of England, study finds

People living in deprived areas of England have suffered disproportionately larger cuts to bus services, according research by a leading thinktank.

The analysis by IPPR North found that cuts to services in England had been felt the most in “left-behind neighbourhoods”.

People living in the top 10% most deprived areas have suffered a ten-fold bigger reduction in the distance travelled by bus per person, compared with those living in the top 10% least deprived areas.

“Bus cuts are harmful wherever they happen, but these disproportionate cuts to deprived areas are deeply concerning, not least because our own research into ‘left-behind neighbourhoods’ shows how poor transport connectivity exacerbates deprivation,” said Silviya Barrett from the Campaign for Better Transport. “Buses are vital to people up and down the country, but especially to those on low incomes, for getting to work and college, shops and services, and for combating loneliness.”

The report estimates that if bus services had not fallen between 2011 and 2023, there would have been an additional 395m miles of bus provision in England in 2023.

In 2023, the cuts to bus provision meant an estimated 1.1bn extra miles driven in cars and taxis.

“Neglecting England’s buses has had serious environmental, social and economic consequences, which have not been felt equally,” said Marcus Johns, a senior research fellow at IPPR North.

In September, then transport secretary, Louise Haigh, promised a “bus revolution” through new legislation to enable local transport authorities in England to run and control bus services.

The IPPR North report argues that the government needs to use its better buses bill to put control of services into the hands of local leaders, citing the franchising deal in Greater Manchester, which put services under public control for the first time since deregulation in the 1980s.

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, launched the first stage of the Bee Network, covering Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury, Manchester and Salford, in 2023.

Other areas including Oldham and Rochdale joined last year, while the remaining 253 bus services in Greater Manchester came on board this year.

City regions under metro mayors were given franchising powers in 2017, but some private operators initially fought to stop Burnham going ahead.

“Franchising is already delivering better services for people in Greater Manchester, but it was an uphill battle to get there,” said Maya Singer Hobbs, senior research fellow at IPPR. “It’s time for the government to get on board with better buses and support local leaders on this journey.”