Recommendation 18

Away from the National Bus Strategy, the sector is in a tough spot. Post-pandemic, many people’s lives have changed, and this has altered, perhaps permanently, when and where they wish to travel. Reduced patronage has left many services hanging by a thread, dependent on further extensions of the Government’s ostensibly short- Implementation of the National Bus Strategy 43 term recovery funding. Yet, in some areas and for some types of passenger demand has surged. So far, the Government has responded to this challenge with limited, albeit welcome, schemes such as the £2 fare cap. But it needs to do more. It would be the height of absurdity for the Government to spend billions of pounds to support the ailing bus sector through the pandemic and then allow it to wither away. The Government must continue to support the sector as it builds a new network fit for the post-pandemic world. This should be informed by a detailed analysis of the impact of schemes like the £2 fare cap and BSIPs. (Paragraph 117) 44 Implementation of the National Bus Strategy