Bums back on seats: Minister to face Transport Committee on reviving England’s bus services
The Transport Committee will question Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood as it reaches the last stop of its buses connecting communities inquiry.
Meeting details
This session will be the Committee’s opportunity to put the evidence it has heard throughout this inquiry to the Minister and a senior Department for Transport official.
Despite still being the most-used mode of public transport in England, bus ridership has been in steep decline over the past decade.
The Minister is likely to face questions on ways that the Government could help protect ‘socially necessary’ routes or guarantee a minimum level of service, particularly in rural areas.
Linked to this theme, Mr Lightwood will be asked about proposals in the Bus Services No. 2 Bill, including enabling local authorities to adopt franchised service models, or to continue working in agreements with operators under strengthened Enhanced Partnerships. The Committee has heard that many local authorities may struggle to recruit staff with the expertise and skills that would be needed to manage local services. There are also concerns within the sector about challenges with recruiting and retaining bus drivers.
There may be questions on the future of the bus fare cap, and whether local authorities could be offered longer-term funding settlements to help them plan and develop their services with more certainty.
The cross-party Committee is also likely to ask about ways that the Government could support community services run by charities and non-profit organisations, as well as demand-responsive 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.