Bus Franchising

Question

Mr Lightwood, could you clarify how local authorities will be supported to adopt the franchising model without additional central funding? Also, what projections have been made regarding the financial impact on councils?

Question

I thank the Minister for his statement. We on this side of the House are in full agreement that good local transport is something that everyone deserves access to, both for helping people to live their lives and for fulfilling the economic potential of all parts of the country... (full question as provided)

Question

Last week and this week have been the best two weeks for public transport for many decades, righting the wrongs of the privatisation of the rail service and the deregulation of buses... Does my hon. Friend agree that there should be a massive apology from the Conservatives for the damage they have done to public transport?

Question

We Liberal Democrats welcome today’s statement to give local authorities, not just metro Mayors, more powers and the potential to run their bus services... What we currently have is completely inadequate, so will the Minister set out how today’s announcement will improve rural bus services, not just in the long term, but in the short term?

Question

I welcome the statement and draw to the Minister’s attention the Transport Committee report... There are some excellent recommendations in there. In regions such as Greater Manchester, the process of introducing bus franchising has been quite lengthy. Granting combined authorities the ability to directly award contracts would significantly shorten that timeline, allowing areas such as the north-east to bring about faster improvements. Will the Minister confirm that the better buses Bill will include provisions for direct award powers?

Question

I welcome the Minister’s statement... Local government finance is under pressure, and the delivery of services in rural areas is much more costly than it is in Manchester, Nottingham or London. That is just a geographical fact, which I think we all accept... May I urge the Minister to engage the good offices of the County Councils Network, as the lead body for county councils and the unitaries, to find their views and suggestions? If this is to work in rural areas, rural councils will require some extra money.

Question

Welcoming the Minister's statement, Clive Betts highlights that deregulation since 2010 has led to a 50% decrease in bus passenger miles in South Yorkshire. He points out the disparity between Greater London and South Yorkshire regarding government funding for transport per head. He also notes that while Manchester received a good Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) settlement, South Yorkshire received none. Betts questions whether the Minister recognises the need to review these settlements or if Mayor Oliver Coppard will be forced to make cuts.

Question

Richard Holden praises the previous Government’s £1.1 billion investment into Greater Manchester's Bee Network, highlighting its success in addressing cost issues of public transport, especially in rural areas. He asks if the Minister will extend the Get Around for £2 scheme to further improve bus passenger numbers.

Question

Chi Onwurah expresses her constituents' envy of London’s cheaper and more reliable bus services. She mentions the commitment by Kim McGuinness, North East's regional mayor, to regain control of buses. She asks how the Minister will support this goal.

Question

Gregory Stafford seeks a rail link bus service from Bordon to Liphook in his constituency, highlighting the town’s poor bus routes.

Question

Welcoming the statement, Alison Hume highlights severe cuts to vital bus services in rural communities like Sleights to Whitby, urging for speedier improvements.

Question

Anna Sabine welcomes the principle of the statement but asks how the Government will provide long-term funding for councils, like Somerset council, to facilitate bus franchising.

Question

Welcoming the statement, Mike Amesbury looks forward to seeing a direct service from Runcorn to Liverpool return. He invites the Minister to meet leaders in Cheshire to discuss taking control of bus services through a new devolution deal.

Question

Jim Shannon thanks the Minister for his progressive statement and asks him to confirm that rural-proofing will be implemented to protect services over profit.

Question

Welcoming the statement, Tristan Osborne asks if councils can join forces for improved collaboration on bus services in rural areas.

Question

Lee Pitcher highlights issues with inadequate bus services in his constituency, urging for essential improvements that support government missions like economic growth and net zero targets.

Question

Sean Woodcock discusses community-owned green buses in his constituency and asks if a decade of renewal promised by Labour will see improvements in rural bus services.

Question

Scott Arthur praises Edinburgh's award-winning bus service and asks if public ownership can drive down costs, increase patronage, and aid in net zero goals.

Question

It was interesting to hear the Opposition Front-Bench spokesperson talk about the importance of preserving existing bus routes, when their party had presided over 14 years when thousands of bus services were lost to communities across the country. Does that not epitomise how underserved our communities and local economies have been by 14 long years of Conservative government?

Question

It was great to visit the First Bus all-electric depot in York, but I was saddened to hear just days later that First had withdrawn children’s monthly bus passes. After meeting representatives of the company, they are reviewing that decision, but does my hon. Friend agree that travel to and from school should be affordable? Will he meet me to discuss the future of buses in York?

Question

As has been said, the past 14 years of Conservative Government have left local bus services, especially those in coastal communities, in a shocking state. In East Thanet, the 33, 34, 9 and 8A bus services have all been drastically cut, meaning that in certain areas of Broadstairs and Ramsgate there is no bus service at all within easy reach, and no one in either town has access to a bus to Canterbury outside commuter times. Conservative-run Kent county council must take up the powers that are being offered by this Government to serve disadvantaged communities such as that in East Thanet.

Question

After the deregulation and decline of buses under the previous Administration, I imagine that local authorities are somewhat shocked and surprised at being given the opportunity to shape services genuinely in the public interest. What additional support is my hon. Friend considering to empower local authorities, especially smaller district authorities such as Rugby borough council, so that they can move fast and fix things locally?

Question

I thank the Minister for his statement. I am pleased to see him driving forward this policy to improve our bus services, which are a vital lifeline for my constituents in Burton and Uttoxeter. Does he agree that this plan puts us on the right route by expanding franchising powers so that local voices can finally steer bus services in the right direction?

Question

As the Minister has already pointed out, and others in this Chamber have said, bus franchising has clearly delivered fantastic results where it is already in operation in Greater Manchester and London, but it will not be right for all communities. In my constituency, there are often only two buses a day connecting the outlying villages to Dartford and other population centres. Does he agree with me that the upcoming bus Bill will be a fantastic opportunity to end the postcode lottery of bus services across the country, providing maximum flexibility to local leaders, such as those in Kent if they are prepared to use it, to choose the right system for their populations?