'Manchester-type buses would need extra funding'
BBCImplementing a Manchester-style bus system in Cornwall would require a "step change" in funding, Cornwall Council has said.
The favourite to become the next prime minister, Labour's Andy Burnham, said he wanted the rest of the country to benefit from the greater public control of buses he oversaw as the city region's mayor.
Under its bus franchising model, the mayoral authority sets routes, timetables, and fares - with private operators bidding for contracts to put on subsidised services.
The council said that, for something similar to work in Cornwall, greater levels of subsidies would be required to ensure buses would be able to serve more rural and less populated areas.
Councillor Dan Rogerson, the portfolio holder for transport on the council, said it had been researching how bus franchising could work.
"There are bits of Cornwall where a commercial service works - Truro, Falmouth, Camborne, Pool, and Redruth.
"You get up into north and east Cornwall, it is a lot harder. We could do a lot more if we had greater subsidy and a prime minister who really values public transport.
"And, if franchising isn't the way forward, then even just a bit more resource from government to allow us to build on the network we've already got would be great," he added.
Under Manchester's bus system, 16 to 18 year-olds also receive free bus travel to help them continue with their education.
Students from Penair School in Truro starting college in the autumn said they would like to see something similar.
Maisy said: "I'm going to have to take two different journeys every single morning and after school.
"That will cost £8 a day, which I think is really extortionate."
Tom agreed: "The college is about £850 for a bus pass, so it's quite challenging."
Cara said: "The best option is to get the bus but, obviously, it's a tricky decision just because of the price and whether it's worth it."
Reece added: "I don't live within walking distance to anywhere that I would like to go, so buses I have to rely on heavily."
Luke Bazeley, deputy principal of Cornwall College, agreed transport was a "huge barrier" to young people's life chances.
"Where you live shouldn't dictate your opportunities.
"When they come for an open day, they go away and look at financially what that looks like for their parents - it does actually put them off and they maybe fall out of education," he explained.
Rogerson said he supported the concept, but stressed it was currently not affordable.
HE said: "It would be fantastic because we have a group of people who want to enjoy what Cornwall has to offer, to work, to study, and gain those experiences.
"To do completely free travel would require a real step change in what we get from government."
During a debate on rural bus services at Westminster this week, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: "We will provide meaningful financial support to improve bus networks totalling more than £3bN over the next three years.
"That includes nearly £700m per year for local transport authorities through the local authority bus grant.
"This government's bus reforms are fundamentally about giving local leaders more powers and more choice over how to deliver services.
"That is why work is under way to provide active support to local transport authorities that wish to explore franchising, particularly in rural areas."
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