Emphasises that poor public transport is a significant barrier to employment access for people living in rural areas.

Acknowledges the importance of reinstating community bus services after Conservative-led cuts and highlights the need for adequate funding from the Government’s new plans to support dislocated areas with cost-effective demand-led services.

Highlights the issue of different government arms, such as Network Rail, obstructing developments like strategic cycle links and argues for cultural change within these organisations to improve public transport and active travel.

Clarifies that previous Government funding for the £2 fare cap did not extend beyond its current period, implying concern over potential future fare increases without such measures.

I am delighted to give my maiden speech on transport innovation in my constituency. I welcome the BSIP investment announced by the Government and look forward to hearing more about plans for franchising local areas. I argue for a governance system that reflects travel patterns, social and economic geographies, and supports public transport as a means of reducing climate impact.

I congratulate Alex Mayer on her maiden speech. I discuss the decline in rural bus services since Thatcher's privatisation in the 1980s, highlighting a case study from Partridge Green where residents reacted to losing their direct link to Horsham due to insufficient notice and consultation. We need to engage communities to protect local amenities and reverse managed decline.

I thank Sarah Dyke for securing the debate on national transport issues, focusing on rural transport integration in my constituency. I argue that an integrated system is essential to incentivise people to use public transport over cars and address accessibility needs.

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for securing the debate on this important topic. In my constituency of Guildford, we face significant public transport challenges despite having relatively good networks compared to others. The main issues are funding constraints for new railway stations and accessibility improvements at existing stations. Building a new station costs over £25 million with half spent on planning alone. Existing stations like Clandon, Effingham Junction, and Horsley lack step-free access which is crucial for people in wheelchairs, parents with prams, and others who find steps challenging. We need urgent improvements to make public transport fairer and more accessible. South Western Railway moving to public ownership next year offers hope for better services but we also advocate for empowering local councils to run their own bus services as they understand community needs best. Investment is key to delivering the infrastructure our communities desperately require.

I thank my hon. Friend for initiating the debate and commend her maiden speech. Public transport, especially buses in rural areas like Stroud, is crucial as it represents opportunities and equality for local residents. Rural bus services have suffered a 27% reduction since 2011 with a £420 million shortfall. However, we are investing £1 billion to improve these services including £8 million for Gloucestershire. I support small railway stations despite their high costs as they benefit communities. We plan to restore power to local leaders regarding fares, routes, and timetables, shifting control from private operators. Yet, rural areas without an elected mayor must have equal opportunities. An example of the impact is the cancellation of a cross-border bus service in Wotton-under-Edge which caused significant disruption for schoolchildren and workers unable to access essential services like doctors’ surgeries or hospitals. Fragmentation between local authorities can exacerbate such issues as seen with the 84/85 bus route that crossed authority lines leading to its loss of funding and cancellation. We must develop rural public transport, ensuring it is accessible and reliable for all.

Our public transport services have been run down for years due to the previous Conservative Government, leading to vital bus service disappearances in rural communities. The new Government's hike of the bus fare cap is disappointing, as journeys in rural areas are long and fragmented. While welcoming more funding for subsidised services, concerns remain about targeting it effectively in rural versus urban areas. The on-demand bus service, WESTlink, has been problematic due to poor delivery and high costs, especially affecting school routes. Local government funding cuts have exacerbated the issue, making it difficult to maintain essential rural routes. Funding should be used to provide minimum service levels for rural areas, involving local councillors in decision-making processes to ensure sustainable solutions. We need a clear plan to improve public transport networks after years of neglect.

Bus travel is crucial for many rural communities, such as Ardsley, Robin Hood, Thorpe, and Lofthouse in Leeds South West and Morley. The 212 service in East Ardsley was recently cut by a private provider but has since found a new operator with local council support. However, relying on temporary fixes is unsustainable. Private providers often have to cut unprofitable routes or go bankrupt, necessitating a long-term solution. West Yorkshire's mayor supports public transport and plans to introduce franchising in 2027, aligning with the Government’s commitment to overhaul the bus system. The new buses Bill aims to end fare rises and ensure sustainability. Mayor Brabin has secured £36 million for West Yorkshire, helping to extend the £2.50 price cap until 2025 and securing crucial routes like the 212. As we approach franchising in 2027, it is vital to maintain service levels using all available tools.

Congratulated the hon. Member for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard on her maiden speech. Paid tribute to Somerset council's work in challenging circumstances, highlighting improvements such as reintroducing night buses and saving park and ride services. Acknowledged the Government’s £6 million in bus service improvement plan funding but noted disappointment with the increase of the fare cap to £3. Emphasised the need for a discount scheme for students travelling to college. Highlighted the importance of rail projects like the West Somerset steam railway and the Wellington and Cullompton stations project, which has a high benefit-cost ratio. Urged support for the station reopening project due to its significant economic benefits.

I congratulate the hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton on securing this debate and my hon. Friend the Member for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard on her maiden speech. The public discourse around transport has been stuck in a narrative about cyclists versus drivers, but we should be talking about public transport generally and buses specifically if we are serious about growing the economy, cutting congestion, reducing climate emissions and creating a more equal society. Edinburgh's bus service is an example of what works: it is cheap, well-paid staffed, unionised, and pays dividends back to its owner through public ownership. The service provides a network that supports the city as a whole with cross-subsidy within routes, which is crucial for equality in cities. Franchising powers should be used effectively to support this network and ensure priority measures such as bus lanes are in place.

I welcome the debate on public transport, which is vital for economic growth and resident wellbeing. I praise the trans-Pennine route upgrade and £650 million commitment to transport links outside cities, addressing constraints in the north's economy. The City Valley rail link would relieve congestion and create jobs, while local bus networks are strengthening due to recent commitments from the Government. In my constituency, cross-border challenges affect services crossing Lancashire, West Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester, and a two-tier structure without a mayor lacks effective transport strategies. Empowered mayors and combined authorities can develop efficient infrastructure; thus, devolution deals for every area are necessary.

I congratulate the hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton on securing the debate and my hon. Friend the Member for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard on her maiden speech. It is an exciting speech to get off the list. As a Londoner, I know when I raise issues around under-investment from the Government into our services, there will be colleagues who represent constituencies such as the one my husband grew up in who have to wait an hour for a bus to the nearest town and who will have little sympathy for this whinging Londoner. However, fourteen years of failure from the previous Government have left public transport in every part of our country failing to keep pace with the needs of the people who rely on it. On their watch, cancelled train journeys rose to a record high; passengers have had to navigate 55 million different types of ticket options; and buses are driving 0.3 billion fewer miles per year compared with 2010. For my constituency, East Croydon station had over 20 million journeys passing through its gates last year, making it the 21st most used station in Great Britain. The previous Government’s mismanagement led to cancelled schemes and accessibility for passengers being ignored.

We come to the final Back-Bench speech.

I thank the hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton for securing the debate. I am grateful in particular to my hon. Friend the Member for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, who showed the depth of her knowledge and understanding of this important matter. It appears that you wait all day for a Tory MP to turn up to a debate on public transport—and none do.

I commend my hon. Friends the Members for Horsham, for Guildford, for Thornbury and Yate, for Taunton and Wellington, and for Stroud, who spoke with one voice on the dire state of public transport in many of our rural areas. Ticket prices are too high, services are too unreliable, infrastructure is too old and capacity is too meagre—and that is just for those who have access to public transport. Too many parts of our country have no meaningful access to public transport whatsoever. This is hampering our economy, holding back local communities and damaging our high streets. The current state of public transport simply is not good enough.

Order—[Interruption.] Order. Just a quick reminder that when I am on my feet, Members should not be. That is third time the hon. Gentleman has said “you”; perhaps he will be a bit more careful in the rest of his speech.

The Conservative Government spent over £100 billion on railways from 2010 to 2024, completing major projects such as Crossrail and electrifying over 1,200 miles of track. The government invested £3.5 billion in the bus sector during the pandemic recovery period, providing new electric or hydrogen buses and extending the 'get around for £2' scheme. Bacon criticised Labour's performance in Wales and London, noting declines in local bus journeys and numerous strikes under Sadiq Khan’s leadership. He also highlighted that the Labour Government's first act was to provide train drivers with substantial pay rises without securing productivity improvements.

Billington interjected, questioning whether the Conservative government was comfortable with public ownership of train operating companies as long as they belonged to other European countries. This suggests a critique of the Conservatives' stance on nationalisation and their approach to foreign-owned rail operators.

The Government are focusing on improving performance on the railways, driving forward rail reform, improving bus services, growing bus usage across the country, transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country, promoting social mobility, and tackling regional inequalities. The Government have ambitious plans to improve services and grow passenger numbers for buses. They introduced a statutory instrument to expand franchising powers beyond mayoral combined authorities to all local transport authorities and consulted on new guidance for local leaders looking to bring services into public control. There will be over £1 billion in funding for buses next year, including £150 million for the new £3 fare cap and £712 million for local authorities to support and improve their bus services. Additionally, they are committed to delivering improvements on railways through fare reform and infrastructure investment.

Called upon the Minister to consider whether a strategy is needed for public transport in coastal communities, which suffer from poor connectivity reducing economic growth potential year-round.

Highlighted devastating bus cuts since 2008 that have led to difficulties accessing healthcare and work. Emphasised regional inequality as a core issue, calling for investment in buses to address the disparity.

Interrupted to gain Minister’s attention.

Asked the Minister to inform the Secretary of State about releasing funding for restoring your railway projects, although he understood the limitations on commenting on individual projects.

The hon. Member emphasises the poor quality of rural transport, particularly bus services, highlighting its environmental and economic importance. She welcomes the Minister’s comments but calls for assurances regarding the impact of construction at Old Oak Common on residents from the south-west. She also requests more information about the renationalisation of South Western Railway to boost service confidence among constituents. The Member expresses her constituents' desire for a train station in Somerton and Langport, advocating for improved bus services if a station is delayed. She welcomes the models for franchising set out by the Minister and urges for guidance on social and economic outcomes.

The hon. Member acknowledges the importance of rural bus services and mentions that the Transport Committee has launched an inquiry into these services focusing on their social and economic aspects. He encourages people in Sarah Dyke’s network to respond to the call for evidence.