DEVON’S councils could take more control of local bus services after the government announced measures to empower local leaders.

Transport secretary Louise Haigh said it was the first stop on the journey to better buses, and all local transport authorities across England can now run their own services if they want to.

Exeter City Council leader Phil Bialyk (Lab, Exwick) has called on the county council to use the new powers to transform bus services in the city.

Cllr Bialyk, a former bus driver, said he had been inundated with requests from local people for better and more reliable services.

He said: ‘We have lots of problems at the moment.

‘Pointing fingers isn’t going to help, but it is fair to say a lot of people are pretty fed up with both the service and how changes are consulted on with things like timetables and routes.

‘Having a reliable and affordable bus service really is at the heart of so many parts of improving lives for residents.

‘Now there is nothing in their way, I want Devon to be one of the first to sort this for people.

‘This really is a golden opportunity.’

But the county council says it already plays a significant role in bus services  and is spending nearly £13.5 million this financial year to subsidise routes.

‘I have no spare cash in my back pocket,’ said Cllr Andrea Davis, the cabinet member who oversees transport.

‘I’m very much for anything that improves bus services but what we don’t know yet is whether there would be any funding for it.’

The county council, which spent just over £12 million last year subsidising routes where commercial services aren’t viable, is part of the Devon Bus Enhanced Partnership, an agreement between the local authority and bus operators to work together to improve local services.

Cllr Davis added: ‘Any changes would need to be affordable for the people of Devon.’

She said Devon had done very well to keep its rural network going but every month is a struggle to keep the network as it is.