Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Deferred
Establish minimum standards for bus stop facilities and real-time information provision
Recommendation
In order to increase ridership, the Department should establish minimum standards for bus stop facilities and the provision of real time information at bus stops where appropriate. While bus stops are used in different ways and a one-size-fits all approach may not be appropriate, improved bus stop standards should be a national aspiration. (Recommendation, Paragraph 64)
Government Response Summary
The government did not address the recommendation to establish minimum standards for bus stop facilities and real-time information. Instead, it discussed the complexity of regulations for Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) and Community Transport (CT) and their integration into the wider bus network.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government acknowledges that legislation and guidance covering the various forms of DRT and CT are complex and multi-layered. However, due to this complexity, we do not consider that 18 months would be a realistic timeframe to develop a revised regulatory framework. Such a framework would require primary legislation and any changes would need significant consideration due to the potential for impacts and consequences within the wider bus and CT sectors, as well as for taxis, private hire vehicles, and other sectors. We would need to consider whether this would be the most effective use of resources, rather than supporting local authorities to make better use of the provisions within the existing framework. The Department’s updated EP and franchising guidance will set out how DRT and CT should be considered to ensure that they are integrated into the wider network alongside traditional bus services. This will include guidance on how DRT and CT can be used to deliver or support socially necessary local services and support delivery of local transport plans. LTAs are also encouraged to look across their unringfenced funding to identify opportunities for coordination between different services, such as home to school transport, health and social care transport, and DRT. We will continue to work with the DRT and CT sectors to identify future opportunities for change and keep best practice guidance up-to-date.