Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Bus Services

Thursday 8 February 2024 · 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 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government provided over 4.5 billion in public investment for bus services in England since 2020.
  • Number of local bus passenger journeys increased by 19% in the financial year ending March 2023.
  • Government supports enhanced bus company usage through initiatives like the 2 fare scheme.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Transport
Context

The question is prompted by concerns over the adequacy of bus services in England. The MP seeks an assessment from the government on this issue.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of bus service levels in England?

Answer from Guy Opperman

The Government are providing the largest public investment in buses for a generation, with over £4.5 billion-worth of services provided in England outside London since 2020. This is part of rebuilding after the covid pandemic.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q2 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Transport
Context

Concerns about proposed cuts to specific bus routes, the loss of workers in the sector over a decade, and the need for local authority funding to deliver necessary services.

Question

My constituents are concerned about the proposed cuts to bus routes. The Government's latest statistics show significant declines in the bus sector since 2013. Will the government commit to reversing an ideological ban on municipal bus companies and ensure sufficient funding for local authorities?

Answer from Guy Opperman

The number of local bus passenger journeys increased by 19% in the financial year ending March 2023. The local authority received £19 million in extra BSIP-plus funding, and I urge operators to sign up to the £2 fare scheme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for reversing an ideological ban on municipal bus companies was not addressed directly.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q3 Jake Berry Con
Local Government
Context

Concern about the distribution of long-term BSIP Government cash, noting that only a small percentage is allocated to one area within the town.

Question

Of the £3.722 million long-term BSIP Government cash given to Blackburn with Darwen Council, only £180,000 is being spent in the town of Darwen. Will the Minister ensure that funding is distributed fairly among all represented populations?

Answer from Guy Opperman

This money is intended to support communities in the constituency and should not be focused on one area alone. I will write to the local authority about this point.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q4 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Transport Local Government
Context

The MP notes a significant drop in bus mileage in the north-east compared to London since 2010. There is interest from Labour's candidate for North East Mayor to address this.

Question

Bus mileage has dropped by over 30% in the north-east, while it decreased only by 5% in London since 2010. Is it time to let local communities have power and control of their own local bus services?

Answer from Guy Opperman

The North East is set to have a regional Mayor, with the Labour candidate for the position facing challenges. The Government supports enhanced bus company usage through initiatives like the £2 fare scheme.

Not addressed: Discussion of regional Mayors and electoral issues instead of addressing control over local bus services.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q5 Simon Lightwood Labour (Co-op) Wakefield and Rothwell
Transport
Context

Recent statistics show a rise in bus patronage due to franchising initiatives. The MP asks whether the government supports extending such control to all local authorities.

Question

The Bee Network has seen an 8% increase in patronage and improved on-time services since franchising began. Will the Minister support Labour's plan for local authority control over bus services?

Answer from Guy Opperman

The number of bus journeys increased by 19% in the financial year ending March 2023 due to Government funding. We have allowed certain authorities and Mayors to engage in franchising, but it must be funded properly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Support for Labour's plan was not directly addressed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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