A plan to introduce free bus service in Guernsey has been withdrawn from consideration for next year’s budget. Deputies Sally Rochester and Ross Le Brun had proposed the initiative as an amendment to the 2027 budget framework, requesting £1.9m in funding to enable the existing public transport service to operate without fares during a one-year pilot program.
The decision to pull the proposal came after Stagecoach, the service operator, raised concerns about the potential for increased passenger numbers to exceed the capacity of certain routes within the network. Rochester acknowledged that implementing the pilot would not be feasible if buses were already operating at maximum capacity. She indicated that the deputies remain committed to exploring the concept further, but noted that expansion of the service would require additional buses and an expansion of Stagecoach’s contract.
Rochester stated that the free bus service initiative was designed to support residents facing cost of living challenges and to fulfill transportation strategy objectives by providing accessible public transit. She outlined that the next steps involve collaborating with the Environment and Infrastructure Committee to develop plans that could address capacity issues, with the goal of potentially reintroducing the proposal at a future time.
Stagecoach responded positively to the underlying goal of increasing public transport ridership, noting that it welcomes initiatives that make bus travel more accessible. However, the company emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate capacity across the network before implementing free travel schemes, citing the need to maintain service reliability and meet passenger demands, particularly on routes already experiencing high usage.
The free bus proposal was one of 30 amendments submitted for consideration in the budget process. Other proposed changes include efforts to secure additional funding for States’ committees facing budget reductions, initiatives to freeze fuel duty, and modifications to overseas aid spending.
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