Earlier this month, Members of Parliament debated the issue of local bus services; with Helen Grant MP fighting for improved services in her constituency of Maidstone and Malling.
Rural bus services are a lifeline to many people, including older generations, who rely heavily on buses on a daily basis. They are often essential for hospital visits, leisure activities, day trips and crucially, they help link communities together. Worryingly, over the past few years, too many rural communities have seen a steady reduction to the number of bus services available to them. Routes within the constituency of Maidstone and Malling have not been immune to this.
Having met with Norman Kemp (Director at Nu-Venture) and Nick Bland (Performance Director at Arriva), Helen Grant was told that one of the main reasons behind cut backs to their services across Maidstone and Malling is the lack of drivers. Both companies explained that if the process for granting provisional licenses could be quickened, this would help them enormously.
Speaking in a Debate in Parliament on 11th September, the Maidstone and Malling MP intervened on the Minister, “In my Maidstone and Malling constituency, local bus companies Arriva and Nu-Venture tell me that a significant reason for the lack of services is the lack of drivers, and that speeding up the process for granting provisional licences could make a real difference. Will the Minister look at that?”
The Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood MP, responded to Mrs Grant’s question; “I pushed for that when I was in opposition, and we did some consultation just before the general election. We are busy looking at the feedback and will report on it in due course.”
The Minister went on to say, “Local authorities, bus operators and passengers are eager to hear more details of our plans, and I assure them that we are working at pace to consider how we might best support buses in all areas, including rural communities, in our upcoming spending review. We will work closely with local authorities and bus operators to understand what is needed to improve and grow bus networks.”
After the debate, Helen Grant met with the Minister to discuss the Government’s plans in more detail and to encourage ways in which to attract more women to become bus drivers - currently they are significantly underrepresented in the industry, accounting for just 11% of bus drivers nationally.
