To create effective bus networks, close cooperation between home builders and bus companies is essential. However, achieving this requires new and positive legislation. This is why the Confederation for Passenger Transport (CPT) has recently advocated for a “bus first” approach within the government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This recommendation was made in the trade body’s response to the consultation on proposed reforms.
The reason for the consultation is that the Labour Party is committed to building 1.5 million new homes over the next five years. Interestingly, however, there has been some concern that the reform will not go far enough. Indeed, one lobbying group, Transport for New Homes, has expressed concern that the amendments do not go far enough to prevent the widespread creation of car-dependent housing in green belt areas. The consultation period ended recently; however, CPT’s response advocated that bus transport be enshrined into the framework. Alison Edwards, CPT Director for Policy and External Relations, said: “CPT and its members believe that a vision-led approach to future planning that promotes sustainable transport must put buses and coaches front and centre.”
She went on: “This approach is also essential to give bus and coach operators the long-term assurance they need to invest in routes and to strengthen their relationships with the communities they serve.”
CPT also went on to highlight the failings of the Section 106 obligations, which are in place to require developers to fund bus services. The response states: “Where Section 106 agreements are overly prescriptive, they can result in a failure to deliver much-needed bus routes, or else establish a bus route for an insufficient period of time to allow the route to become commercially viable (which usually requires a minimum of two to three years).”
The body goes on to say that developers should “design proposals to meet housing and infrastructure needs with bus infrastructure already integrated, as an immovable part of the plan,” and “design future road use proposals with buses in mind, and restrict parking to promote public transport use.” It goes on to say that planning authorities and local government should bring bus operators into discussions at the earliest opportunity and “remain cognisant of the need to provide improved bus and coach infrastructure in already existing developments and urban areas.”
To be fair, in my 40-year career in the bus and coach industry, this has been an area of key frustration, as local authorities have often not factored in talking to bus operators at the planning stage, resulting in estates that do not encourage fast, reliable, and frequent bus services – a source of frustration for both residents and bus companies.
I completely agree with the submission put forward by CPT. After all, if the government is serious about delivering zero emissions and building cleaner, greener communities, it has to start with encouraging a public transport network that reduces car use and increases bus patronage.
Well done to CPT for calling it out. Time will tell if the government listens and acts to support the case for the bus.
Written by Austin Birks
