Following the decision made to cut funding for buses across the region earlier this month, Kevin Guy reached out to The Journal with the following statement:

Earlier this month, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) took an extremely difficult decision on supported bus service contracts for the region.

As many residents will know, Councils don’t run the buses. Most are privatised commercial services, with a few “supported” (subsidised) routes and WECA having the overview as the transport authority.

Last week’s meeting has been mistakenly portrayed in the media as “cuts” to services, when in fact WECA has, at the Mayor’s disposal, a new fund of £50m from government to spend on new services – government will not allow this to be used to support existing routes.

With this funding, WECA has tendered for a Demand Responsive Transport (DRT – minibuses on demand) service and also for five brand new bus routes in our area. Full details are being kept under wraps, but between them, these services have the potential to provide a comprehensive service for North East Somerset communities.

In B&NES, we really want to see this transition be a success for all of our residents. We understand the importance of a convenient and affordable bus service, particularly to the most vulnerable, and we have been campaigning hard for better bus services.

As part of our commitment to local services, we have increased our financial contribution for supported bus services by 36% for next year. Unfortunately, inflation has decimated our buying power. That’s why the DRT and five new routes are so vital.

We want to work closely with WECA and our neighbouring authorities, with single focus, to make the transition to the new network across North East Somerset a success.

I wrote to the Mayor immediately following the bus decision to set out my expectations. I’m looking for a clear commitment from WECA, in the interests of all of our residents, on 3 areas.

Firstly, we need to see delivery by WECA of all five new services proposed for North East Somerset:

- the new route from Brislington to Odd Down Park and Ride that passes through many of the towns and villages of North East Somerset on route.

- the three new circular routes in Keynsham, Norton Radstock and Chew Valley.

- And finally, the vital commuter link from Chew Valley to Bristol.

These new routes, along with commercial services, will form the spine of the new public transport network across North East Somerset.

My second request is to ensure greater engagement by WECA with our communities in the detailed design of this new network. There must be a properly resourced engagement plan to support the public through the transition.

Finally, the WECA constitution is clear that decisions around bus service provision, whether funded through the transport levy, or through other sources must be taken in full consultation with the constituent authorities.

I said at the WECA meeting – WECA’s Transport Board must be held in public, like the Transport Board of Greater Manchester. I have called on the Mayor to commit to this, but as yet he has not responded.

This is essential for transparency, so that we can open up these important discussions about vital public services, to the people that we serve and stop essential public transport services being used as a political football.