(20 Aug 2021, 4:28 am)RobinHood wrote One of the core reasons for high fares on bus is the inadequate DfT reimbursement model for the ENCTS scheme. It is no longer realistic.
Given ENCTS accounts for anywhere between 40-50% of usage in some locations, the regular fare payer is probably forced to help balance the books, which makes your regular user fares, higher than they really should be.
Until the government sort that out, slashing fares is always a risk operators aren't willing to take. You cannot sustain losses for very long (even if there is an appetite to try to begin with).
I'd say BSOG rates are a bigger problem than ENCTS, though I agree the reimbursement model is inadequate. I'd however still like to see the scheme extended, rather than being further cut back or withdrawn.
Government have made a vague commitment around BSOG in Bus Back Better, but sadly it looks to be more carrot and stick approach nonsense, when the real issue is that we're taxing vital infrastructure (bus services) to the hilt through fuel duty yet giving just over half back as a grant. Allowing the entirety of fuel duty to be claimed back for mileage operated as a public bus service, might actually be a better way of the Govt achieving their ideas contained in their national strategy. Lower fares, more money for investment in services, newer buses, and so on.