New National Bus Company called for by think tank

A new National Bus Company (NBC) is being called for by IPPR North, a UK think tank.

The company is envisioned to be a joint venture between government and local areas. IPPR North believes it could electrify the rollout of zero-emissions buses across the country.

Researchers say this would help improve local transport, with more comfortable rides for passengers, cleaner air for communities, value for money for councils and potentially passengers, and a leap towards the UK’s net zero ambitions, all delivered by buses. They point to the fact that improving local bus services are a wise investment, with every £1 invested estimated to generate up to £4.55 in economic benefits.

Researchers at IPPR North say the Bus Services Bill currently making its way through Parliament provides a strong foundation for the next phase of reforms to upgrade local transport  and that the NBC is the next step to deliver what they say are the critical shifts needed to revolutionise buses.

“IPPR North’s report is a timely and welcome contribution, making a strong case for putting better buses at the heart of national transport policy” – Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said: “Everyone deserves to be able to rely on a decent bus service – to get to work, visit family or simply get around affordably. In the Liverpool City Region, we’re already motoring ahead with putting power back where it belongs – in the hands of local people – by bringing our buses back under public control and integrating them into the most comprehensive local transport network outside of the capital. 

“IPPR North’s report is a timely and welcome contribution, making a strong case for putting better buses at the heart of national transport policy – backed by the powers, investment and political will to make it happen. 

“Thankfully, government seems to be listening – and I’m pleased the Bus Services Bill will give us more of the tools we need to get on with the job. Because wherever you live, decent public transport shouldn’t be seen as a luxury but a lifeline, and a driver of opportunity and social mobility.” 

“To truly deliver improvements to bus services for passengers, including new zero emission buses, it is vital that bus gets its fair share of funding in this week’s Spending Review” – Alison Edwards, Director of Policy and External Relations at the Confederation of Passenger Transport

Responding to IPPR North’s publication of ‘En Route to Renewal: Delivering better, greener buses’, Alison Edwards, Director of Policy and External Relations at the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “We support the ambitions behind IPPR’s proposals – more buses going where people want to go, quickly and affordably.

“Buses are vital to the economy – they carry 11 million passengers a day, enabling people to earn, learn and spend in local communities. They account for two thirds of public transport journeys in the UK, and 78% of journeys in Scotland. On average, people take 61 bus journeys a year – at least five a month. Investing in buses is good value for money; every pound invested in local buses brings £4.55 in economic benefits.

“The industry recognises the future of road transport is with zero-emission vehicles and is making great strides in the transition to zero emission fleets. Last year, nearly half of new buses registered were zero emission. This progress is an example of public and private working side by side – for each pound invested by taxpayers in zero emission during recent funding rounds, the private sector has invested, on average, £2.50 in England and the figure in Scotland is even higher. As well as securing great value for the British taxpayer, this type of public private partnership also harnesses the expertise that commercial operators have built up through years of experience with regards to the types of vehicles that best serve their passengers and communities.

“To truly deliver improvements to bus services for passengers, including new zero emission buses, it is vital that bus gets its fair share of funding in this week’s Spending Review. Using the public private partnership model that has delivered zero emission buses to date, we estimate c.£200m capital funding a year over the next five years could leverage sufficient private investment in new vehicles and infrastructure – c£2.5bn over five years –  to keep up the current pace of transition to zero emission fleets, ensure no community is left behind in the transition to cleaner vehicles, and support the growth of British bus manufacturing.

“Further funding to enable operators and local authorities to make bus travel more reliable, affordable, and accessible will encourage more people to choose buses over cars. This spending review provides an opportunity to unlock the full potential of buses; an investment in buses is an investment in the nation’s prosperous, fair and sustainable future.”