Rural Transport Connections 2026-02-12
2026-02-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Villages like Little Budworth in the Chester South and Eddisbury constituency lack public transport, leaving families with no alternatives if a child misses the school bus. Parents have asked for spare seats on dedicated buses.
What steps her Department is taking to help improve rural transport connections. In my constituency, villages have no bus services; families rely on infrequent and unreliable buses. Why can they not pay for spare seats on existing school buses?
The Bus Services Act 2025 gives local leaders control over planning routes and timetables for villages. £2.3 billion is available through the local transport grant this year. The Minister will be happy to talk about her proposals.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific request to pay for spare seats on existing school buses was not addressed
Will Be Happy To Talk
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Millions of bus miles were lost under the previous government, particularly in rural areas. Families rely on infrequent buses that often do not turn up, leaving no alternatives if a child misses the school bus.
In my constituency, villages like Little Budworth have no bus services at all and are far from public transport. Why can they not pay for spare seats on existing school buses? Will the Minister work with me and local councils to deliver a more flexible approach?
Millions of bus miles were lost under the previous Government. The Bus Services Act puts power back with local leaders. Local leaders can plan routes that work for villages and enhance partnerships to improve services. I am sure the Minister will be happy to talk about her proposals.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific request for spare seats on existing school buses was not addressed
Will Be Happy To Talk
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Norfolk county council received significant funding for bus services, opening new rural routes. However, there is no proper link with train services.
What more can the Government do to get buses and trains working together? We need a truly integrated transport system.
We need better integration of transport systems. The forthcoming integrated national transport strategy will address this issue.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions for bus-train integration were not provided
Forthcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy
Response accuracy