A proposed plan to trial free bus passes for under-22s will not go ahead as it is “unaffordable” at the moment, the government has said.
The trial was one recommendation put forward by the Transport Committee of MPs in a report this August.
In its response, published on Friday, the government said no money was available for such a scheme under the funding allocated in the current spending review period – which runs until 2028/2029.
Another recommendation, coming up with minimum service levels for buses, was also rejected in its response.
It argued that “significant differences in demographics, need and geography” would make minimum levels of service “very challenging to implement at a national level, whilst also ensuring value for money”.
The number of bus journeys taken in England has dropped in recent years, while fares have risen faster than inflation, it said.
The committee found that this was a barrier to opportunity and growth in some areas.
Members accused ministers of a lack of ambition when it comes to reviving bus services in England.
Its chair, Labour MP Ruth Cadbury, said at the time: “When the Government announced its bus sector reforms last year it spoke of an ‘overhaul’ and a ‘revolution’. But its approach now looks lacking in ambition.
“It is hard to shake the feeling that an opportunity may be missed, particularly to improve services in rural and underserved communities.”
The government plans to give local authorities more control over bus services, including through franchising.
Bus passengers spend £39.1bn in local businesses every year, according to research from KPMG.
But experts told the Transport Committee that the bus sector’s contribution to the economy declined by around £8.9bn between 2011 and 2023.
The committee’s report said: “The current deregulated nature of the bus sector can encourage commercial operators to “deprioritise” less profitable routes, often leaving vulnerable communities without a service.”
