Buses are a key form of public transport delivering nearly two thirds of all public transport journeys in England.  The bus is a powerful tool in tackling the problems caused by congestion, allowing more people to make the same journey while generating less traffic. They are flexible too, and can be deployed quickly in response to changing demand. 

There is a significant challenge ahead in delivering national and local bus objectives, as to do so means reversing a 50 year trend of declining bus use in the UK, a decline which has occurred as driving licence holding and car ownership have increased.  Typically, bus use continues to decline in shire authority areas by two to three per cent a year.

The provision of bus services in a rural county like Cornwall is extremely challenging.  A significant element of the County’s population is dispersed across a large rural area, whilst conversely, there is growing congestion in and around the approach to the main towns such as Truro.  The impact of tourism trips in the County also puts additional pressures on parts of the transport network at peak times of the year.  These contrasting requirements illustrate the challenge in ensuring that bus service provision meets the needs of the people of Cornwall.  There is also a need to build upon the successes of the last five years that have demonstrated that people are prepared to use public transport in Cornwall when the quality, frequency and reliability is right.

Cornwall's Bus Strategy recognises that the bus is an important mode of local transport, particularly in terms of meeting accessibility aims, encouraging modal shift from car use and easing congestion.  The policies contained in this Bus Strategy are intended to form a key part of the framework for public transport delivery to 2016 and beyond, in order to contribute to the delivery of the Regional Spatial Strategy, Local Development Frameworks, and key strategic long term projects in the County.  The delivery programme focuses on scheme delivery within the five year LTP2 period to 2011. 

The Bus Strategy has been structured around the Government's 'shared' priorities (and the additional cross-cutting priority of Highway Maintenance).  The individual policies that make up the overall strategy have been set out under the 'shared' priority they make the greatest contribution towards.

The general approach to the strategy development is illustrated in Figure 1.1 below.  Under each 'shared' priority, there are a number of 'tools' that can be used in Cornwall to help achieve the priority.  These tools are then applied in the delivery programme, based on a range of evidence that indicated where application of the specific tool would provide the greatest outcomes and value for money.

Open large scaleable image in Popup

It is important to note that whilst the Local Authority may use its powers to deliver the bus strategy associated with the subsidised bus network, we work in partnership with all bus operators and are committed to providing a high quality bus network across the County, irrespective of whether it is commercial or subsidised.