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 Friday 17 January 2025.

Upcoming events

View all events

No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

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
Wednesday 26 February 2025
9:15am Public
Buses connecting communities - Oral evidence 26 February 2025
9:15am
  • Andrew Summers (Chief Executive at Transport East)
  • Simon Mathieson (Director of Operational Excellence at First bus)
  • Robert Morton (National Officer at Unite the Union)
  • Mr Ben Simm (Team Manager, Transport Strategy and Policy at Leicestershire County Council)
10:15am
  • Professor Karen Lucas (Head of the Transport and Mobilities Group at University of Manchester)
  • Stephen Frost (Head of Transport Policy at Institute of Public Policy Research)
  • Silviya Barrett (Director of Policy and Campaigns at Campaign for Better Transport)
  • Paul Miner (Head of Policy at CPRE - The Countryside Charity)
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House

Contact us

Please note: The Transport Committee examines policy issues relating to the Department for Transport and its associated bodies. It is unable to investigate, or adjudicate on, individual cases.

  • Email: transcom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: 020 7219 2226/ Text relay: 18001 020 2226 (general enquiries) | 020 7219 8895 (media enquiries)
  • Address: Transport Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA/ Twitter: @TransportCttee