Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Bus Service Improvement Plans

Thursday 3 February 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government announced 1.2 billion of new dedicated funding for bus transformation deals.
  • Buses Minister willing to meet local MPs to discuss funding and strategy further.
  • Government plans over 3 billion of new spend on buses during this Parliament.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the financial impact on bus companies due to the pandemic, leading to downgraded services and hardship for customers.

Question

Bus companies have suffered financially during the pandemic, resulting in downgraded services. Stagecoach has replaced its coaches from Bedford to Cambridge with double-decker buses without toilet facilities, affecting older people travelling for medical treatment. When will the Government give bus companies the investment needed to improve services?

Answer from Robert Courts

£1.2 billion of new dedicated funding has been announced for bus transformation deals, part of over £3 billion in new spend on buses during this Parliament.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline and additional investment details were not provided.

How: Part Of Over £3 Billion In New Spend

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Q2 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
Transport
Context

Stoke-on-Trent has a multimillion-pound settlement for bus service improvement, including funding for road infrastructure such as the Waterloo Road widening project.

Question

We have received a multimillion-pound settlement to improve buses and roads in Stoke-on-Trent. The bid includes funds for road improvements like widening the congested Waterloo Road. Will the Minister meet me and local MPs to discuss why this funding is crucial?

Answer from Robert Courts

The Buses Minister will be delighted to meet the hon. Member and his colleagues to discuss their strategy further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment on funding or specific action for Waterloo Road project was given.

How: Delighted To Meet

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Q3 Jonathan Gullis
Transport
Context

The north-east faces a crisis in bus services as funding cuts post-covid-19 have led to potential service reductions.

Question

There is an ambitious bus service improvement plan, but currently there is a crisis with reduced services due to the pandemic. What action will be taken to prevent further service reductions when funding drops off in March?

Answer from Robert Courts

Over £3 billion of new spend on buses is planned during this Parliament. The Government will provide information on indicative allocations for bus service improvement plans by the end of February.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific measures to prevent funding cuts and service reductions were not addressed.

How: Information On Indicative Allocations

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Q4 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Transport
Context

There is a need for additional buses in North West Durham to improve services, particularly focusing on affordability.

Question

Buses are vital but there are not enough of them and single-fare journeys are expensive. Will the Minister examine our bus back better strategy to secure needed funding and buses for communities?

Answer from Robert Courts

The Buses Minister will be delighted to look at the North East's strategy in the context of overall Government funding.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment or detailed review plan was provided.

How: Delighted To Look At

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Q5 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Transport
Context

The adequacy of funding for improving local bus services is under scrutiny due to financial challenges faced by companies.

Question

What recent assessment has been made regarding the adequacy of funding allocated towards bus service improvement plans?

Answer from Robert Courts

At the Budget, £1.2 billion of new dedicated funding was announced for bus transformation deals with indicative allocations to follow in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific assessment or timeline for allocation details was provided.

How: Indicative Allocations In Due Course

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