Fight for free fully funded public transport
by Aaron Smith, Enfield and Lea Valley Socialist Party
I went to the first meeting of a bus users group in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire recently. It was set up by a local Tory councillor — just ahead of elections — to gauge interest and hear firsthand about the issues and complaints about the local bus services. Like in most parts of England, buses were privatised here 40 years ago and are run for profit, rather than social need. Unsurprisingly, people had many complaints, including around poor reliability, lack of accessibility and complex ticketing. Members from Goff’s Oak Community Association said about the low frequency isolating older and disabled residents and the impact of development and traffic, stressing we need more buses in the area.
I spoke in the meeting and said the local buses felt like a curfew. Despite the town being next to London, few buses run after 7pm as they are not considered profitable and subsidies were cut during Tory austerity. I also said about the poor bus connectivity with the railway and to London. In neighbouring Enfield, where a proposed ‘new town’ has government backing, transport and traffic are major concerns. A representative each from Arriva and Uno, the local bus companies, were present to answer complaints in a rare semblance of accountability from privatised public services.
It was clear from what everyone was saying, including the representatives, that bus services are not fit for purpose. We need massive investment in public transport, with buses free at the point of use for all. Bus services need to be renationalised so that users can have a democratic say in the services we need. Transport needs to be joined up to where people live, work and do leisure – and at times when we need it. That needs resources and planning, only possible by fighting for socialist change which takes the power and control out of the hands of the bosses and gives it to the working class, so we can all live our lives to the fullest.
- Aaron is the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidate in Flamstead End ward, Broxbourne in the 7 May local elections