Sarah Champion Calls for Increased Funding for Rotherham Bus Services

Sarah Champion MP, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to call for long term, sustainable funding to support and grow local bus provision.

Sarah’s letter is part of her Better Buses campaign, which has already seen her conduct a consultation on Rotherham’s bus services and raise residents’ concerns with bus operators and transport organisations.

In her letter to the Chancellor, Sarah also highlighted the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic upon bus services, stating that, ‘Without prompt action, I am deeply concerned that the current crisis could represent blow to bus services from which they will never recover.’

Commenting, Sarah said:

“The results of my bus passenger survey painted a damning picture of bus provision in Rotherham, even before the current crisis. I share my constituents’ anger and concern at the substandard service they have received. Across the board, from punctuality, to fares, to available routes, the responses were overwhelmingly negative.’

‘While there are clearly some issues particular to Rotherham, the failure to provide robust, sustainable funding for local bus services by central government is holding our transport network back.”

Sarah continued:

“The Government have, quite rightly, identified that getting people out of their cars and on to public transport depends upon an efficient, reliable and cost-effective bus service. But time and again, they have failed to provide the funding needed to make this a reality.’

‘I hope that the Chancellor will listen to the concerns I have raised. Rotherham residents have made their views abundantly clear. I will be doing everything I can to make sure that government puts its money where its mouth is and delivers the bus service Rotherham needs and deserves.”

To read Sarah’s letter, click HERE

ENDS