Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
2
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Implementation of the N…
Acknowledged
We welcome the funding for Bus Service Improvement Plans made available as part of the Government’s National Bus Strategy. It will do much good. Yet just over £1 billion is simply not enough money to produce real improvements in bus services across the country. Local areas were asked to be …
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We welcome the funding for Bus Service Improvement Plans made available as part of the Government’s National Bus Strategy. It will do much good. Yet just over £1 billion is simply not enough money to produce real improvements in bus services across the country. Local areas were asked to be ambitious, but the Department has not matched this level of ambition in the funding it has made available. Instead local areas were pitted against each other for an often miserly share of an inadequate pot.
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Government response AI summary
The government only partially accepts the recommendation, deferring to a future announcement on the end of sales date for non-zero emission buses and the publication of several strategies.
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Department for Transport
5
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Implementation of the N…
Acknowledged
The bidding process for BSIP funding has appeared slightly chaotic at times, with periods of delay, confusion about the terms of trade and concerns about Departmental capacity. While we understand the short-term impulse to prioritise communication with winning bidders, it makes little sense in the long term if the aim …
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The bidding process for BSIP funding has appeared slightly chaotic at times, with periods of delay, confusion about the terms of trade and concerns about Departmental capacity. While we understand the short-term impulse to prioritise communication with winning bidders, it makes little sense in the long term if the aim is to improve bus services across the country. It is crucial that the Department gives every assistance to those who have been unsuccessful so next time they can be winners.
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Government response AI summary
The Government acknowledged the importance of assisting unsuccessful bidders, and states it is working closely with LTAs and bus operators, with dedicated relationship managers appointed, to monitor and advise on BSIP outcomes through EPs, and help support governance processes.
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Department for Transport
6
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Implementation of the N…
Acknowledged
The Government should commission and publish an independent analysis of the first tranche of Bus Service Improvement Plan funding. It should then consult on the structure and aims of a further disbursement of ‘transformation’ funding. Underpinning this should be a firm commitment to make available significant further funding to support …
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The Government should commission and publish an independent analysis of the first tranche of Bus Service Improvement Plan funding. It should then consult on the structure and aims of a further disbursement of ‘transformation’ funding. Underpinning this should be a firm commitment to make available significant further funding to support the implementation of the National Bus Strategy. (Paragraph 59) Implementation of the National Bus Strategy 41 Models of delivery
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Government response AI summary
The government has commissioned the Bus Transformation evaluation to understand which interventions improve bus services and assess the National Bus Strategy, with findings due in March 2025, and outlines existing funding commitments, but doesn't directly address consulting on further funding disbursement.
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Department for Transport
7
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Implementation of the N…
Acknowledged
Bringing more coherence and collaboration between local transport authorities and bus operators to local bus services is undoubtedly a good idea. But Enhanced Partnerships are a largely untested way to do this. The Government has made a big bet on them being the right model. It must carefully monitor how …
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Bringing more coherence and collaboration between local transport authorities and bus operators to local bus services is undoubtedly a good idea. But Enhanced Partnerships are a largely untested way to do this. The Government has made a big bet on them being the right model. It must carefully monitor how well they are working and ensure appropriate contingencies are in place.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of monitoring Enhanced Partnerships (EPs) and is working closely with LTAs and bus operators, highlighting the responsibilities and guidance provided to LTAs. The government also recognizes that EPs are new and untested mechanism and for that reason, sufficient time must …
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Department for Transport
16
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Implementation of the N…
Acknowledged
For too many years the story of buses in England outside London has been one of managed decline. The publication of the National Bus Strategy represented an opportunity to change that. It was ambitious, full of good ideas and supported by extra much-needed funding. So far, though, despite lots of …
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For too many years the story of buses in England outside London has been one of managed decline. The publication of the National Bus Strategy represented an opportunity to change that. It was ambitious, full of good ideas and supported by extra much-needed funding. So far, though, despite lots of positive rhetoric and some welcome action, the promised transformation has not been achieved. We believe it is still possible, but that will require the Government to maintain its focus on buses rather than letting its attention drift away.
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Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the committee's view that the National Bus Strategy was ambitious and supported by funding, while recognizing the transformation promised has yet to be fully achieved and requiring continued focus.
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Department for Transport
17
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Implementation of the N…
Acknowledged
The Government should set out clearly how it plans to evaluate the success of the National Bus Strategy across its various strands. It should also set out an indicative timescale for the scoping, consultation, and publication of future iterations of the Strategy.
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The Government should set out clearly how it plans to evaluate the success of the National Bus Strategy across its various strands. It should also set out an indicative timescale for the scoping, consultation, and publication of future iterations of the Strategy.
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Government response AI summary
The government notes the recommendation and describes multiple monitoring and evaluation projects currently being delivered for activities which sit under the National Bus Strategy, and will share learnings and interim findings where possible, with the Bus Transformation evaluation expected to be published in 2025.
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Department for Transport