Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Accepted in Part
Develop a dedicated policy and regulatory framework for alternative public transport models within 18 months.
Recommendation
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 networks. The framework should include: 51 • clear guidance on DRT governance and a framework for integration with local transport plans; • guidance on providing socially necessary services through a DRT model; • a review of existing funding streams across departments (such as. home-to-school, health, and social care transport) to identify opportunities for coordination and shared use of DRT services; • optional access to nationally procured digital tools (such as routing software or booking platforms) to support local authorities in designing and managing DRT schemes; • guidance on how both community transport and demand-responsive transport providers should be included in Enhanced Partnerships, to support greater collaboration and ensure inclusive planning; and • the exploration of rural mobility models that prioritise improving access to services, rather than simply replicating traditional public transport, including the role of shared or private car use and lift- sharing schemes as part of a flexible, place-based approach. (Recommendation, Paragraph 111)
Government Response 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 framework, and does not address all specific components of the recommendation.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The Government knows that alternative service models, such as demand responsive transport (DRT) and community transport (CT) services, have an important role to play in ensuring communities can access transport services in areas where more traditional, regular stopping services may not be viable. We want to support LTAs to make the best use of these services. That is why we are developing DRT best practice guidance which will provide local authorities with a comprehensive guide to setting up and deploying DRT schemes. The guidance has been developed with support from an advisory group of practitioners with experience of implementing DRT schemes and also draws on learning from the ongoing comprehensive monitoring and evaluation process for the Rural Mobility Fund (RMF) DRT pilots. The first version of the guidance is expected to be available later this year. 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.