Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Deferred
Introduce a rural weighting into the BSIP funding formula for low-density areas.
Conclusion
The Department should consider introducing a rural weighting into its revised Bus Service Improvement Plan funding formula to reflect the higher per-passenger costs and structural challenges of serving low-density areas. This would help ensure that network improvement ambitions are not undermined by geographic disadvantage. (Recommendation, Paragraph 36)
Government Response Summary
The government did not address the recommendation to introduce a rural weighting into its funding formula, instead stating it provides significant funding to LTAs and expects it to be used to support services.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
As noted earlier, the Government is providing significant funding to LTAs, and our current funding letters make clear that we expect that this is used to support and enhance bus services. The Department reserves the right to reduce future allocations if this expectation is not met. The Department also expects savings from bus priority measures to be reinvested where relevant and will consider additional ways to provide support and guidance.