Greens call for ‘boost for buses’ as Zack Polanski announces latest affordability pledge
On a campaign trail visit to Newcastle last week, Zack Polanski told the media that the experiment of bus privatisation has been a disaster, and that a vote for the Green Party on 7th May is a vote to boost our buses.
The Green Party leader said Green councillors will fight to bring buses back into public control, and advocate for free fares for everyone under 22 years to make life more affordable for young people.
It is the latest in a series of pledges focused on ending Rip Off Britain.
Privatisation: “an unmitigated disaster”
Reliable and accessible public transport is one of the best ways to tackle both the cost-of-living crisis and the climate crisis.
Buses are the most used form of public transport in England.
But bus usage has seen a huge and sustained drop off recently – falling from 4.6 billion journeys in 2009 to 3.6 billion in 2024.
Zack said: “Years of deregulation have led to soaring fares, unreliable services and cut routes. Bus privatisation has been an unmitigated disaster.”
Spiralling transport costs are one of the biggest causes of the affordability crisis – and it’s not just cities like Newcastle that are affected. As Zack said “lack of services and expensive fares are problems for rural areas in particular.”
In fact, rural communities in England lost almost a fifth of their bus routes between 2019 and 2024 – an even faster rate than in our towns and cities.
Once bus services are cut, many people in rural areas are left isolated or reliant on expensive private transport simply to get around.
Putting the ‘public’ back in public transport
So why has privatisation been such a disaster?
Well, whether it’s our buses, or our water, or our trains – a private company owning a public utility has one main concern. Providing the best service for the public? No. Private profit for its shareholders.
Local councils in contrast know their communities, know their transport needs, and are in a much better position to plan and provide a proper service as a result.
As Zack said: “We need to bring buses back into public control so that local councils, who know what their communities need best, can put a ceiling on how much can be charged and make sure their communities are well served.”
“Electing Green councillors will help end this and herald in a new age of the bus, to help rebuild our struggling high streets and boost our communities.”
Get out the vote – sign up for polling day
After speaking to media, Zack was met by a packed room of Green Party supporters at a rally for the elections on 7th May.
And a big turnout of Green support will be crucial again this Thursday.
We can win big all over the country on Thursday – but we’ll need your help.
You can help us replace Labour and defeat Reform. Sign up for a polling day slot to help get the Green vote out where you live.
All featured photos: Maria Maza
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