Labour outlined plans to spend £1.3Bn per year to reverse cuts to bus services across the country as well as fund the expansion of new services last week.

Announcing the move, Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald claimed that the current Government has neglected buses, “along with the people and communities who rely on them” which include the elderly and those living in rural areas.

He added: “Slashing bus funding damages our communities by cutting people off from work and leisure and worsening congestion and air pollution.” The party also set out plans to bring local services into public ownership and introduce free bus fares for young people.

A Government spokesman responded: “Buses are vital for connecting people, homes and businesses which is why we help subsidise costs by around £250M every year and support local authority spending.

“Local authorities spend a further £1Bn on the free bus pass scheme, benefiting older and disabled people across the country.

“We have also recently published our plans to make bus travel more convenient for passengers by ensuring better access to real time information on fares, routes and services.”

Trade body the Confederation of Passenger Transport’s interim chief executive Peter Gomersall welcomed the move to increase bus funding and reinstate lost routes, which he said would help communities to stay connected “while providing people with access to work, education, medical facilities and social activities in an environmentally friendly way”.

Liberal Democrats transport spokesperson Jenny Randerson said that, while additional funding is required for bus services, further action is also needed to achieve modal shift.

“Public transport is simply not up to scratch and bus services have been on a steady decline since 2015,” she said. “People have been left with little choice but to drive.

“There must be a shift from cars to buses to reduce emissions and cut air pollution.” The party said it would introduce a discount card for young people giving them two thirds off the price of bus journeys, to help encourage life long bus travel.