- Conference
- 2023 National Water, Environment & Transport Conference
- Date
- 20 February 2023
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes the Government scheme to cap bus fares at £2 in England as part of its support scheme during the cost-of-living crisis. UNISON recognises this is a temporary measure and feels the incentive does not go far enough to address the challenges working people face.
Conference calls on the government for more funding for bus services to enable local communities to meet zero emissions targets for a sustainable environment, and reduce pollution in the transport system, whatever savings they were able to accrue from a temporary fare cap will not be enough to deliver and achieve the ambition set for bus companies in the national bus strategy. Also, the lack of funding within this sector is affecting the job security of our members in bus companies and local authorities. Conference calls on the Government to provide more revenue funding for bus services – currently, the Government prioritises capital infrastructure projects over a suitable revenue funding model. This would help to secure jobs in bus companies and transport authorities.
Conference calls on the WET Executive to:
1) Actively campaign/lobby for government funding for buses in local communities and monitor employment practices ensuring no detrimental impact on our members working for private bus companies.
2) Work with Labour Link to lobby appropriate bodies for more sustainable bus services to protect members’ jobs.
3) Assist branches with members in Combined Authorities to work with elected Mayors to promote an efficient transport network.