Rural Bus Services 2022-06-30
2022-06-30
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Local authorities are facing challenges in securing funding for successful bus services following the submission of a Bus Service Improvement Plan.
I am concerned about the provision of bus services to rural areas that have not been successful in securing funding after submitting a Bus Service Improvement Plan. What steps is he taking to ensure these areas receive the necessary support?
We have contacted all local authorities not receiving immediate Bus Service Improvement Plan funding and are working with them to help improve their local bus services.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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The Dorset Bus Service Improvement Plan has not received any investment, affecting rural areas. The questioner seeks alternative solutions and policy changes.
The Dorset BSIP has returned no investment to rural Dorset. Given this situation, will the Minister consider giving Dorset Council the power to run its own services? Will she also consider enabling journeys using concessionary bus passes to attract the full commercial value of that journey to the operator?
I thank my hon. Friend for his determination to secure better bus services in West Dorset. In our national bus strategy, we committed to reviewing the annual concession reimbursement guidance and calculator that he refers to. I reassure him that we will continue to fund the practical support to develop enhanced partnerships.
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Q3
Partial Answer
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The Prime Minister's plans are perceived to not address the issue of bus fares being higher than those in London, where a journey costs £1.65.
As the Prime Minister contemplates a third term, we on Tyneside face rising bus fares and reduced services. When can we expect our bus fares to be levelled down to those in London, at £1.65 for crossing the entire metropolitan area?
I have written to the hon. Lady with specific information. At the October 2021 spending review, the Department announced £1.1 billion of dedicated funding for Bus Service Improvement Plans, which is part of the £3 billion new spend on buses over the Parliament.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Transport Secretary's promises about improving bus services are doubted due to the impact of the pandemic and planned reductions in service post-covid funding.
I apologise to the Secretary of State, but what he has said raises even bigger questions about what he has been doing with his time. From near-record delays on railways, mile-long tailbacks at Dover, disruption at airports and the first national strike in three decades, everything this Transport Secretary is responsible for is falling apart, and now so is his promise on buses. From October, when the covid funding runs out, there will be four buses across the whole of South Yorkshire after 10 pm. That is four buses for more than 1.3 million people. That is not levelling up, is it? It is managed decline.
To date, the Government have made available more than £2 billion of support through emergency and recovery grants since March 2020 to mitigate the impact of the pandemic for bus and light rail services. Those measures are in addition to the £200 million provided annually directly to commercial operators to keep the fares down and to run an extensive network through the Bus Service Operators Grant.
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