NEWS that the island is about to run out of buses – because there are now so few manufacturers making vehicles small enough for local roads – highlights the uneasy nature of the way public transport is funded.

It also raises the willingness of the States to give away taxpayers’ money because deputies and departments shy away from unpopular decisions.

When then States Traffic Committee president Pat Mellor persuaded the House to pump money into the bus service it was on the basis that this was not a further burden on the taxpayer.

Instead, those who chose to drive to St Peter Port and ignore the subsidised service would contribute by paying to park.

When it came to the crunch, however, members bottled out of introducing a 25p per hour charge and so the taxpayer was left to foot the bill as millions – it will be £2.2m. this year alone – are ploughed into a private company to provide a service the majority of islanders rarely use.

Where Environment has more determination, however, is in declaring that new buses are needed and, no surprise here, that the taxpayer will have to fund their acquisition.

No one denies that the bus service is a credit to the island, well run, increasing in popularity and an absolute lifeline for many.

The point, however, is that it was sold to islanders on the basis that parking charges would fund it, not that it would become an additional drain on public finances. But because deputies would rather dither than be decisive, this has dragged on and millions that could have been spent on long overdue improvements to the mental health service have effectively been thrown away.

Environment understands this – but still has a problem. Its members are by and large opposed to paid parking and are apparently going to the States shortly with proposals that drop the fairest method, an hourly charge.

That suggests the reluctance to impose paid parking will continue and the arguably unauthorised use of public funds with it.

Nevertheless, the cost of subsidising a bus service has to fall to the motorist to curb car use, as originally planned, and Environment should recommend ending the taxpayers’ involvement if it does not.