Committees

Buses connecting communities

Inquiry

In many parts of the country, bus services and passenger numbers are in decline. The Transport Committee will examine the role of buses in connecting rural communities with nearby towns and suburban areas.

The inquiry will evaluate the effectiveness of recent Government policy in tackling the decline in bus services. It will explore the social and economic consequences of poor connectivity and consider whether innovations in alternative service models could provide solutions. The Committee will also scrutinise how the Government’s proposed bus reforms address the particular challenges faced by rural areas and local authorities outside of major cities.

Please read the call for evidence for more detail about this inquiry.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was 11:59pm on 17 January 2025.

Upcoming events

View all events

No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Wednesday 14 May 2025
9:15am Public
Buses connecting communities - Oral evidence 14 May 2025
9:15am
  • Simon Lightwood MP (Minister for Local Transport at Department for Transport)
  • Stephen Fidler (Director of Buses and Inclusion at Department for Transport)
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Tuesday 29 April 2025
3:30pm Private
Private meeting 29 April 2025
The Macmillan Room, Portcullis House
Wednesday 26 March 2025
9:00am Private
9:15am Public
Buses connecting communities - Oral evidence 26 March 2025
9:15am
  • Graham Vidler (Chief Executive at Confederation of Passenger Transport)
  • Judith Barker (Executive Director for Places and Connectivity at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority)
  • Martin Dean (Managing Director for UK Regional Bus at Go-Ahead at The Go-Ahead Group)
  • Stephen Rhodes (Director of Bus at Transport for Greater Manchester)
10:15am
  • Mrs Naomi Green (Managing Director at England's Economic Heartland)
  • Alistair Hands (Managing Director of Regions at Arriva Group)
  • Miriam Binsztok (Transport Co-ordination Services Manager at Cornwall Council)
  • Mr Damien Jones (Representative at Local Government Association, and Deputy Director for Transport Operations at Devon County Council)
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Wednesday 12 March 2025
9:15am Public
Buses connecting communities - Oral evidence 12 March 2025
9:15am
  • Caroline Whitney (Director at Community Transport Association)
  • Max Sugarman (Chief Executive at Intelligent Transport Systems UK)
  • James West (Business Development Lead at Padam Mobility)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

Contact us

We receive a significant number of emails each day. All requests and invitations are considered but we do not respond directly to everyone. Please be aware, the committee does not look at individual cases or specific complaints.