Bus connectivity: Transport Committee investigates ways to fill gaps left by cuts
The Transport Committee continues its Buses connecting communities inquiry by investigating areas of the country that have found innovative ways to fill gaps left by service decline.
Meeting details
MPs will delve into the use of demand responsive transport (DRT) bus services: where typically smaller buses can collect and drop off passengers from locations they request. This means they can take passengers, including those with mobility issues, to a wide range of destinations.
A survey by the County Councils Network found that DRT was bridging a gap in areas where standard bus services had declined. However, some 95% of councils said these services are operating at a loss and may not be financially sustainable as a long-term substitute.
In 2023, DfT published its Future of Transport: rural strategy, which said data collected from DRT could be used to help plan and improve rural bus routes.
The cross-party Committee will also explore ‘community transport’ – services provided by charities and non-profit organisations. Many rely on volunteers and 77% receive most of their funding from grants.
MPs will ask how successful or otherwise DRT and community services have proven to be across the country, the advantages they can bring, and how or whether the government could do more to support them.
There will also be questions about whether these services are viable alternatives to traditional mainstream buses and whether digital exclusion is a barrier to the accessing DRT services, particularly in rural areas with poor signal or mobile data coverage.