Recommendation 5

The Department’s shift to needs-based allocation of Bus Service Improvement Plan funding is a welcome and necessary step away from competition. However, the current formula does not explicitly reflect the distinct challenges faced by rural and more isolated areas, such as lower population density, longer journey distances and higher per- passenger operating costs. Without a dedicated rural weighting, there is a risk that these specific needs will continue to be overlooked, and that historic disparities in funding and service provision will persist. (Conclusion, Paragraph 35)