Councils had to spend £452 million last year to support the Government’s national concessionary bus fares scheme, LGA analysis shows.
It has warned that the way the concessionary travel scheme is funded by Whitehall is unfit for purpose and prevents councils from investing in reliable bus services.
LGA analysis reveals there was a £452 million gap in the funding councils received from government for the scheme compared with the actual number of journeys made last year, forcing councils to plug the gap from their own stretched budgets.
The LGA said the Government needs to fully fund the concessionary fare scheme to ease budget pressures and help people travel during the cost-of-living crisis. This would allow councils and operators to introduce new routes, keep fares down and make our air cleaner.
Cllr Linda Taylor, LGA Transport Spokesperson, said: “The free bus pass is a lifeline for many in our communities. It allows vulnerable residents to go shopping, pick up medication, and attend doctors’ appointments.
“Our analysis shows that the scheme is not being adequately funded, leaving councils to try to find nearly half a billion pounds every year from their own overstretched budgets to keep it running. This is completely unsustainable.
“It is vital this scheme is properly funded so councils can reinvest in local networks.”
