Anna Mounteney - Statement to WECA Committee (20/09/24)

Good morning. My name is Anna Mounteney, and I am here once again as a public transport campaigner for Reclaim Our Buses West of England. This marks the fourth time I’ve addressed this committee this year. Despite all the meetings, discussions, and promises, our public transport system remains in crisis. There has been no meaningful action, and today I’m here to discuss the ‘bus improvement options’ paper.

Mr. Norris, both in March and May, you assured us publicly that by September, we would have a clear roadmap to resolve the longstanding issues with our bus system. Yet, instead of a decisive plan, we’ve been handed an 8-page document that offers little more than a budget proposal. After years of delays and wasted public money, we expected a comprehensive report aimed at driving real change. Now, we are expected to wait until 2025 for the prospect of tangible reform. 

This is unacceptable.

The paper begins by highlighting the need for unitary authorities to fund a report—this, within the context of a Best Value notice, overlooks the prevailing collaborative issues between the combined and unitary authorities. Our campaign has always maintained that the foundation of a cohesive bus system lies in these relationships. Yet, what we witness is a continuation of division and finger-pointing. This was clearly displayed at Monday’s scrutiny meeting when, in response to questions on the Best Value notice, you, Mr. Norris, once again evaded accountability.

The former Avon region worked because it understood that people move across borders for work, education, and leisure. Dividing transport policy along unitary authority lines is impractical and damaging. We must think regionally and act accordingly. It’s high time we had integrated thinking across rail, buses, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure for the entire West of England region. You must stop seeing the combined authority as a ‘money pot,’ as you referred to it in March 2024, and rather as an authoritative body that leads.

Furthermore, you have repeatedly cited the absence of precepting powers as a major barrier to securing sustainable transport funding. While we recognise the limitations of the council tax system, the introduction of precepting powers would at least enable us to fund essential services without needing to rely entirely on the unitary authorities, which have shown reluctance to contribute meaningfully through a transport levy. Had a transport levy been introduced and developed four years ago, we could have made significant progress by now. But instead, funds have been diverted into short-term, election-driven schemes. Quick fixes like Westlink, publicity stunts such as the Birthday Bus Pass, or the use of public money for self-promotion through your images on buses don’t solve the structural issues at hand. These initiatives might grab headlines, but they don’t deliver lasting change.

The establishment of a Passenger Transport Executive is crucial and urgent. We welcome its mention in the paper but ask—why hasn’t this been prioritised and progressed earlier? It is the logical next step, not only for bus franchising but for providing proper oversight and governance of the entire transport network. The Passenger Transport Executive should be clearly defined in its function and formed without delay.

The ‘bus improvement options’ paper should have marked significant progress towards bus franchising, yet it only brings further uncertainty and delay. As Councillor Toby Wells rightly pointed out at Monday’s scrutiny, this paper could and should have been presented two, if not four, years ago. So, today, we reiterate his questions:

• What tangible actions have you taken in the past four years to improve our buses and reform this failing public transport system beyond mere rhetoric?

• Why has it taken four years to even begin considering franchising, when other regions have already completed the process and are now reaping the rewards of public investment?

• Why the persistent delays and reluctance to address the issue directly?

I came here today hoping to see a report that demonstrates real progress. Instead, it is another missed opportunity. This region cannot afford any more stalling. Passengers are already suffering due to inaction—facing unreliable services, fare hikes, and the constant reduction of routes. We need immediate and decisive action. No more delays, no more vague promises, and no more evasion of responsibility.

Mr. Norris, as the Metro Mayor and Member of Parliament, you owe the people of this region a public transport system that works. It’s time to deliver on that promise.

Thank you.