Your article (Almost a fifth of England’s rural bus services have vanished in the past five years, 7 June) didn’t cover the costs of operation or the purposes of rural (and suburban) bus services. Different from urban areas, the bulk of their use is by those on low incomes, particularly pensioners, most of whom cannot afford a car or are unable to drive one. Over 20% of UK households do not have access to a car. Passenger demand for such services is relatively low in terms of numbers, but for those who do use them it is usually the only way they can get to the shops, go to the doctor, see friends etc. I have heard many describe their local bus service as a lifeline.
The problem in terms of cost – but also in terms of image – is that a large standard bus, carrying six or seven passengers much of the time, is hugely expensive to operate and, for the onlookers in their cars, a “wasteful” use of council tax.
The better, much cheaper option is to use 16-seater minibuses. Obviously these have a much lower capital cost, but also much lower running costs, particularly the cost of drivers as they are not required to have public service vehicle licences but merely, if under 70, a normal driving licence. They are also more manoeuvrable down country lanes or around housing estates. The local nature of the service means the regular passengers know the regular drivers and, of course, each other, which creates a friendly and supportive environment. Often the experience is so important for someone living alone.
At the moment, virtually all the minibuses in passenger operation are converted vans. If the government recognises that minibuses are the most cost-effective solution for rural bus services then there is an opportunity here for entrepreneurs – or perhaps the government – to build minibuses specifically for passengers.
Mike Parker
Director general, Nexus (Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Executive), 1994-2006; chair, West Oxfordshire Community Transport, 2023-24
