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Select Committee · Transport Committee

Buses connecting communities

Status: Closed Opened: 28 Nov 2024 Closed: 4 Mar 2026 15 recommendations 18 conclusions 1 report

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 … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
3rd Report – Buses connecting communities HC 494 13 Aug 2025 33 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
21 Recommendation 3rd Report – Buses connecting communiti… Accepted in Part

Establish framework for local authorities' early access to operator data for bus franchising

The Department should set out a clear framework to ensure that local transport authorities have early access to operator data on patronage, fares and costs when undertaking a statutory assessment for bus franchising. The framework should include defined timescales for data provision, guidance to enable consistent data gathering and safeguards … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that LTAs already have statutory data powers requiring operators to provide necessary data. It commits to setting out a clear framework for data access, including timescales and safeguards, within the next substantive revision of the franchising guidance.
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Department for Transport
28 Recommendation 3rd Report – Buses connecting communiti… Accepted in Part

Establish a coherent national framework for alternative transport models to ensure sustainable funding.

Alternative transport models such as DRT and community transport are essential for improving connectivity where conventional services are unviable. This makes them a possible model for sustaining socially necessary services. Their potential is being undermined, however, by fragmented regulation, inconsistent funding streams, and a lack of integration in mainstream transport … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government is developing DRT best practice guidance and updating EP/franchising guidance to help local authorities integrate DRT/CT and use existing funding for socially necessary services, with the first version expected later this year. However, it does not commit to establishing a new coherent national …
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Department for Transport
29 Recommendation 3rd Report – Buses connecting communiti… Accepted in Part

Develop a dedicated policy and regulatory framework for alternative public transport models within 18 months.

The Department should within 18 months develop a dedicated policy and regulatory framework for alternative and complementary public transport models, including Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT) and community transport. This framework should include growing and expanding their role in serving poorly connected places and in connecting passengers to fixed- route public transport … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government is developing DRT best practice guidance and updating EP/franchising guidance to support local authorities in integrating DRT/CT and coordinating existing funding streams. However, it questions the need for a new dedicated policy and regulatory framework, preferring to support local authorities within the existing …
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Department for Transport

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
14 May 2025 Simon Lightwood MP · Department for Transport, Stephen Fidler · Department for Transport View ↗
26 Mar 2025 Alistair Hands · Arriva Group, Graham Vidler · Confederation of Passenger Transport, Judith Barker · Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Martin Dean · The Go-Ahead Group, Miriam Binsztok · Cornwall Council, Mr Damien Jones · Local Government Association, Mrs Naomi Green · England's Economic Heartland, Stephen Rhodes · Transport for Greater Manchester View ↗
12 Mar 2025 Caroline Whitney · Community Transport Association, James West · Padam Mobility, Max Sugarman · Intelligent Transport Systems UK View ↗
26 Feb 2025 Andrew Summers · Transport East, Mr Ben Simm · Leicestershire County Council, Paul Miner · CPRE - The Countryside Charity, Professor Karen Lucas · University of Manchester, Robert Morton · Unite the Union, Silviya Barrett · Campaign for Better Transport, Simon Mathieson · First bus, Stephen Frost · Institute of Public Policy Research View ↗

Who gave evidence

21 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Alistair Hands · Managing Director of Regions Arriva Group 1
Andrew Summers · Chief Executive Transport East 1
Caroline Whitney · Director Community Transport Association 1
Graham Vidler · Chief Executive Confederation of Passenger Transport 1
James West · Business Development Lead Padam Mobility 1
Judith Barker · Executive Director for Places and Connectivity Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority 1
Martin Dean · Managing Director for UK Regional Bus at Go-Ahead The Go-Ahead Group 1
Max Sugarman · Chief Executive Intelligent Transport Systems UK 1
Miriam Binsztok · Transport Co-ordination Services Manager Cornwall Council 1
Mr Ben Simm · Team Manager, Transport Strategy and Policy Leicestershire County Council 1
Mr Damien Jones · Representative Local Government Association 1
Mrs Naomi Green · Managing Director England's Economic Heartland 1
Paul Miner · Head of Policy CPRE - The Countryside Charity 1
Professor Karen Lucas · Head of the Transport and Mobilities Group University of Manchester 1
Robert Morton · National Officer Unite the Union 1
Silviya Barrett · Director of Policy and Campaigns Campaign for Better Transport 1
Simon Lightwood MP · Minister for Local Transport Department for Transport 1
Simon Mathieson · Director of Operational Excellence First bus 1
Stephen Fidler · Director - Buses and Inclusion Department for Transport 1
Stephen Frost · Head of Transport Policy Institute of Public Policy Research 1
Stephen Rhodes · Director of Bus Transport for Greater Manchester 1

Meetings & visits

1 item
DateTypeDetail
29 Apr 2025 Formal meeting (private meeting) — · The Macmillan Room, Portcullis House