A U-turn by the Government on extending Covid-19 bus funding has been cautiously welcomed, though it’s likely there will still be cuts to local services in October.
The last-minute change will see emergency funding, put in place to support operators through the coronavirus pandemic, extended for a further six months.
Bus companies can use the money to operate services when income from fares doesn’t cover their running costs.
However, West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris has warned that people will still see routes axed later in the year as there are not enough drivers to drive the current routes.
Mr Norris said: “I should warn people that even with this new cash, which of course I welcome, it doesn’t necessarily follow that cuts won’t happen.
“The huge, huge problem is and remains that there are just not enough bus drivers to drive the buses, and that will continue to be the case even with more funding.
“We are on to that, with campaigns to recruit drivers and then train them up, but it’s not a short-term solution. I need to level with people that we still face tough choices ahead.
“My first action was to ask the Government if they could divert some of this cash to driving training.”