The Minister thanked Dean Russell for bringing up issues related to bus services in Watford. He acknowledged challenges such as late cancellations, poor communication, and the impact of driver shortages on service reliability. Richard Holden emphasised that the Government is working to improve public information about changes to local bus services through reforms outlined in the national bus strategy. This includes creating an enhanced partnership between operators and councils and developing a new passenger charter with rights for punctuality, proportion of services operated, information provision, and redress. The Minister also discussed initiatives such as the capacity support grant, bus service improvement plans (BSIPs), and measures to prevent significant reductions in bus services due to recovery from COVID-19. He highlighted specific funding allocations like £29.7 million for Hertfordshire County Council and mentioned ongoing efforts to address driver shortages through prioritised testing by DVSA. The Minister concluded with a call to work together on challenges facing the sector, thanking all involved ahead of the Christmas break.