RMT DEMANDS NATIONAL BUS CRISIS SUMMIT

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2022 :: RMTnews 15 Following a warning from bus operators that nearly a third of services in England could be cut in weeks if emergency Government funding runs out, RMT has called on the Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps MP to convene an urgent summit comprising employers, unions, local transport authorities and passenger groups to tackle the crisis in the industry. RMT’s demands come as new analysis of Government data by the union reveals the extent of the bus service postcode lottery in England. The union’s analysis found that more than six million people in England already do not live within 1km walking distance of a local hourly bus service. (See Regional Breakdown in notes to editors). Further cuts to bus services risk isolating millions more and exacerbating inequalities. At the same time as this crisis is unfolding, the Government still has not set out any further details for its review on the ban on municipal bus companies, a commitment it gave in its National Bus Strategy. The union has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP to demand the Government gets serious about protecting England’s bus industry and that it calls an urgent Bus Summit to start tackling this crisis. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that the government promised a bus revolution with its National Bus Strategy, but despite this rhetoric it is clear the bus industry in England is more in crisis than ever with services facing cuts of almost a third and recruitment and retention problems caused by years of bus operators’ refusing to pay decent wages. “Our research shows that already access to bus services in England is a postcode lottery with more than six million people not being walking distance to an hourly service. “This crisis cannot be allowed to continue. Local bus services are a lifeline for many. They provide access to employment, education, healthcare and local communities. Cuts to bus services can cause social isolation and worsen inequalities.  “That’s why I have written to the Secretary of State to demand that the government convenes an urgent bus summit of employers, unions, local transport authorities and passenger groups to tackle the funding crisis in the bus industry and to ensure drives receive a professional wage. “Ultimately our bus industry would be better serviced by being in public ownership where passenger are put before profit,” he said. RMT DEMANDS NATIONAL BUS CRISIS SUMMIT Bus operators warn that a third of services in England could be cut in weeks