A future for rural transport? Gordon Stokes

Content of talk The need for and benefits of rural public transport The generic problems of provision How it could be made to work What about the next five years?

The needs and benefits of public transport Small proportion of rural people don’t have cars (but it varies) Those who don’t are mainly elderly Many on low incomes find they have to have a car, and many have two or more Vital for access to work and training, especially by young people

Public Transport is highest priority for issues that government should tackle to improve rural areas Survey UrbanLess Sparse TownLess Sparse VillageLess Sparse HamletSparse Rural HighestLaw and order, crime, policing 23 Public transport 26 Public transport 32 Public transport 29 Public transport 29 2 nd Public transport 23 Young people 22 Agriculture, Farms 20 Agriculture, Farms 24 Housing 28 3 rd Employment and training 23 Employment and training 22 Young people 20 Housing 20 Employment and training 26 4 th Young people 20 Healthcare 21 Housing 19 Young people 17 Agriculture, Farms 25 5thEducation 20 Housing 21 Employment and training 18 Road traffic, safety, pedestrianisation 16 Young people 22 “Employment and Training” and “Young people” follow close behind Source – CRC Rural Insights Survey 2009

Rural transport contributes to carbon 19% of the population live in rural areas but they account for 30% of car mileage Another 25-30% of car travel is inter-urban or urban people going to rural areas. Tackling carbon by concentrating on urban areas will not cover 60% of car travel

It’s not easy to provide rural transport Not efficient in terms of passengers per vehicle Vicious cycle of facility and patronage decline Critical mass for viability

What could work High quality inter-urban and inter-town public transport network with some stops in rural areas A variety of ways of linking to the basic network: – Car – Bike/ electric bike – Walk – Bus – Demand responsive – Community transport Wheels to work schemes Tailored Community Transport schemes

What is likely to happen soon? Fuel Duty Rebate (Bus Service Operator’s Grant) cut/ altered? Concessionary fares re-imbursement from central government reduced? More pressure on Local Authority resources Each could impact more on rural and small town services

Response to this? 1.We may as well just hide for the next five years 2.If we think something is right and important we should continue to argue for it and capitalise on opportunities that do arise

Ensuring ‘fair’ outcomes from cuts Local Authorities not simply cut least profitable services Plan network that serves all Help active parishes develop schemes that are helpful and realistic – encourage use of precept powers Local authorities and bus operators talk about making most of situation

The Big Society... Community transport in its many forms already exist – Potential for more as mechanisms and experience exists. – Saturation already in some areas? Will local communities listen to (or be able to get) advice from professionals/ bus operators about likely demand for new/ replacement services?

... and The Small Economy The ‘economy’ is people doing things for other people The reward can be monetary but is often not To reduce the economy to money is to hugely devalue it! If people have stability and security they are more likely to offer their services for free But voluntary work will not provide tax income And will cutbacks add to a feeling of insecurity?

Concluding points If something’s worthwhile it’s worth arguing for even if the odds seem stacked against you – Devolving subsidies may change landscape (LGA report) – Councillors may recognise importance of maintaining rural transport Work to ensure local communities can get ‘big society’ funding for transport schemes and use it wisely