Making the Connections: The cross-sector benefits of supporting bus services Maria Machancoses West Midlands ITA Policy & Strategy Team  

The UK Bus picture: Over 5 billion bus trips/year (3 times more than rail) Met areas alone: Bus Network generate over £2.5bn econ. benefits vs £0.5bn public funding. Over half of years old and over 1/3 of year olds. 20% Full-time employees and 30% part- time. 70% with no car available (25% of GB Households have no car or van, may more have limited access to a vehicle).

The case for investing in Bus services & infrastructure.... BASED ON CROSS-SECTOR BENEFITS.... Supporting wider Government policies... Targeted at specific governmental departments... benefits-supporting-bus-services

Increasing the UK’s exports and attracting inward investment UK global bus market +400,000 vehicles/year and worth £60bn (global firms Heatherwick Studio, Wrightbus, Optare...) Achieving strong and sustainable economic growth As urban areas grow, so does congestion hindering economic agglomeration. Bus networks in the Met areas reduce congestion and generate £400m/year agglomeration benefits. Helping the UK Tourism industry: Bus users make 471 million leisure trips/year & giving a total estimated leisure spend of £6.2 bn.

Making sure Council Tax payers get good value for money: Compared to car trips...buses trips support access to most economically productive activities (38 % trips for work/education ) Protecting the environment  Each double Decker bus can take 75 cars off the road.  Bus infrastructure can be designed or retrofitted to maximised energy efficiency. Making the planning system work more efficiently and effectively  Unlocking new development land  Employment sites: Providing access for a wider pool of skills  Contributing to the long term sustainability of developments.

Helping people find & stay in work 77% of job seekers in cities outside London do not have regular access to a car/vehicle. Improving opportunities for older people The national travel concession for older and disabled people generates £1.50 of benefits for every £1 of public money spent. Also supports independent/healthy living Helping to reduce poverty and improve social justice Around half of households on the lowest incomes have no access to a vehicle/car. Bus is a unique tool to social policy.

WorkWise: What is it? Address transport barriers to employment ▫Travel Costs ▫Access to Information ▫Widening travel horizons Promote sustainable travel habits Support the local economy by ensuring access to employment sites/access to skills... ▫ (80 % retention – considerable savings for benefits system) Support cross-sector working (LTAs/JCP) Over 14,000 jobseekers supported

Reducing obesity and improving diet In the UK bus users walk an average of 15 minutes when taking a return journey by bus (healthy living – reducing costs to NHS) Making mental health services more accessible Supporting independent living, connecting with society, reducing isolation.... Making the NHS more effective and less bureaucratic Missed appointments alone cost hospitals £600m/year – amongst others, cancellations tend to come from people in deprived areas which have little access to transport....)

Conclusion... There is a strong case to be made for the role of buses in meeting non- transport national/local objectives Further work is required in: ▫Quantifying the wider benefits to secure financial support from non-transport sectors ▫Policy integration ▫EMTA should consider translating into a European context... Linking with EU Social, Environmental and Economic Policies...

Maria P Machancoses WMITA