Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Bus Services

Thursday 20 April 2023 · 6 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 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have provided over 2 billion since March 2020 to protect vital bus services, with support set to continue until June 2023.
  • The Government have provided over 7.3 million since March 2020 to the West Midlands Combined Authority to protect bus services.
  • The Government are looking at concessionary fare travel, which is up to two-thirds of where it was pre-pandemic, and have provided six months of support with a 2 fare cap to encourage people back on the bus network.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jane Hunt
Transport
Context

The government has provided over £2 billion since March 2020 to protect vital bus services, which will continue until June 2023. However, bus usage remains at around 85% to 90% of pre-COVID levels.

Question

What steps are being taken to support local bus services, given that many routes are no longer commercially viable despite being vital for communities?

Answer from Richard Holden

The Government have provided over £2 billion since March 2020 to protect vital bus services, with that support set to continue until June 2023. Bus service provision in England outside London remained at over 85% of pre-COVID levels in 2021-22 despite lower patronage and commercial fare revenue. We are actively working on long-term plans to support the sector from July onwards.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about further subsidising bus routes was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Nicola Richards
Transport
Context

The No. 45 bus route in Yew Tree and Tame Bridge is vital for residents but only secure until June, with support from the Government amounting to £1.8 billion since March 2020.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that communities like mine in Yew Tree and Tame Bridge cannot be left without a long-term secure bus route?

Answer from Richard Holden

I thank my hon. Friend for her work on this matter. The Government have provided significant help to support our bus sector, with over £1.8 billion in 2021-22 alone and over £7.3 million since March 2020 to West Midlands Combined Authority to protect bus services. We are also considering further support for the sector from July onwards.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about long-term secure funding was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Jane Hunt
Transport
Context

Bus usage remains around 85% to 90% of pre-COVID levels, with many routes considered commercially non-viable despite being vital for communities. The No. 2 bus route in Loughborough is at risk.

Question

Will the Minister please consider further subsidising bus routes to ensure reliable services and help attract passengers back?

Answer from Richard Holden

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. Prior to the pandemic, roughly 40% of operator revenues came from public funds; now it is around 57%. It is right that councils decide which bus routes they want to support, but I hope with extra moneys provided over the past two years and hopefully into the future, we will provide a long-term solution for these communities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about additional subsidies was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East
Transport
Context

Residents in Sheffield face challenges with bus services, including potential non-arrivals. The sector has faced major challenges over the past two years.

Question

How would he go about persuading residents that their bus services are as good now as when the Conservatives came to power?

Answer from Richard Holden

The bus sector has faced major challenges, including around driver shortages. We are looking at concessionary fare travel, which is up to two-thirds of where it was pre-pandemic. This Government have provided six months of support with a £2 fare cap to encourage people back on the bus network.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about persuading residents was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 John McNally SNP
Transport Local Government
Context

The Scottish Government supports more than 50 million free bus journeys for under-22s, encouraging a shift away from cars to public transport in the next generation.

Question

Will the Minister consider replicating this successful Scottish policy in England?

Answer from Richard Holden

UK Government money is providing £1 fare cap for under-22s in the north-east and a £2 fare cap in combined authorities like Greater Manchester. On free bus travel, it is about getting the balance right; we want a service that is respected by people when they use it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about replicating Scottish policy was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Simon Lightwood Labour (Co-op) Wakefield and Rothwell
Transport
Context

The cross-party Transport Committee found the Government unlikely to meet their target on zero-emission buses, and disappointed that guidance on franchising and socially necessary services has not been published.

Question

What is the Government's plan for the long-term future of the bus sector?

Answer from Richard Holden

Through the city regional sustainable transport settlement, this Government have provided billions of pounds of long-term funding for greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and other combined authorities right across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about providing a clear strategy was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email