In an otherwise very depressing meeting at County Hall, Trowbridge, a couple of weeks back I was relieved to hear an acknowledgement from the country treasurer that it's a political decision as to where money should be spent on transport in the county.  She was also talking about "investing to save".

Now all of this can work well for the good of the voters in Wiltshire and people who travel through the county.At the present time, Wiltshire has a "bus we buy, train we don't" policy.  Effects and future ....

This is resulting in a service which is great for local journeys of a few miles, but is getting overcrowded over longer distances with people on free bus passes, making slower journeys.  The district councils have to pick up the (unlimited) bill for these at present, but in the future that will pass to the Unitary authority of the county ...  more expense

Also for the future, we're seeing bus routes being split at 30km boundaries due to new EU regulations; I note that the X4 and X5 have just gone and First were saying they would only operate from Bath to WESTBURY, but in fact their new 264/265 operate to WARMINSTER ... so I'm guessing that the County, who trumpet the new setup as a triumph, are pouring more money into subsidy here .... more expense

Also for the future, bus passes go nationwide so the County / Unitary council will be responsible for the bus fares of travellers from Chippenham to Salisbury who live in Liverpool, or Edinburgh or Chelmesford ... more expense

The tragedy is that these uncapped expenses are NOT buying efficient travel for people - they're buying a sevice which is great for 5 miles and takes a great deal too long for 20 miles!   

The climate is now such that the county has an alternative  under which they continue to support the local buses but integrate them / have them intercahnge at the stations.  A limited extra expenditure on rail enhancements - the hire of a train, let us say - would give faster journey times using well integrated transport and would encourage those who can afford it to pay for the better service ...

It's a complex argument, but is does whow how things are changing and how Wiltshire Council really will be in a position where the integrated approach would be the most effective for them in the very near future.