Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Local Bus Services

Thursday 27 March 2025 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Local bus operators in Watford change routes frequently, leading to less frequent services and gaps in coverage.
  • Olivia Bailey raised concerns about the removal of the No. 15 bus service in parts of Calcot, affecting residents' access to work, supermarkets, and essential services.
  • Gagan Mohindra highlighted the frustration of his constituents regarding inconsistent concession fares offered by Transport for London compared to Hertfordshire residents.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Turmaine Lab Watford
Transport
Context

In Watford, private operators like Arriva change routes arbitrarily, reducing service frequency and sometimes withdrawing services completely. This places an additional burden on Hertfordshire county council to cover gaps through expensive contracts.

Question

In Watford, private bus operators such as Arriva change bus routes on a whim, usually providing less frequent services and sometimes withdrawing them altogether. That leaves Hertfordshire county council scrambling to plug gaps in services through expensive contracts. Does he agree that there must be a better way to run local buses that puts passengers first and foremost?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)

It is vital that passengers have access to a stable and reliable bus network, and our Bus Services (No. 2) Bill includes a measure that offers greater protection to services from being arbitrarily cancelled or reduced. Alongside our investment in buses, including £12.2 million for Hertfordshire, this Government are taking action to help local leaders improve their bus services.

Answered
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Q2 Olivia Bailey Lab Reading West and Mid Berkshire
Transport
Context

Scores of constituents have opposed the removal of the No. 15 bus service in parts of Calcot, which has affected their ability to access work, shops, medical services, and food banks.

Question

Scores of my constituents, including Carole, have told me they oppose the removal of the No. 15 bus service in parts of Calcot, which has meant they cannot get to work, the supermarket, the GP or even the food bank. I am proud of our bus service in Reading, which is a shining example of a locally run service, and I am glad to see the Government commit to strengthening services further. Does the Minister agree that local routes need to serve all those who need them in every part of our communities, and will he back my campaign to reinstate the No. 15 bus in Royal Avenue and Garston Crescent?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)

I agree with my hon. Friend, and I encourage her to continue to speak with the operator to understand whether changes can be made to the route to better meet her constituents’ needs. Our buses Bill, alongside the £2.4 million for Reading and the £1.6 million for West Berkshire, will give local leaders the tools to deliver better bus services for passengers.

Answered
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Q3 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
Transport
Context

Residents of South West Hertfordshire rely on Transport for London to commute into the city. However, some residents near the Hertfordshire border do not receive the same concessionary fare offers as their London counterparts.

Question

Local bus services are part of the integrated travel plans for my constituency, but my constituents also rely on Transport for London to commute into London. One frustration of my community is that concession fares are offered to London residents who live very close to the Hertfordshire border but not to my constituents. As accessibility to public transport remains one of my top priorities, will the Minister push Transport for London to extend those concessions to every TFL user regardless of their address?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)

That is a devolved matter, but I appreciate that TFL also subsidises many routes outside that boundary. I am happy to pick up that matter with the hon. Gentleman outside the Chamber.

Partly answered

Not addressed: extension of concessionary fares

How: Devolved Matter

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Q4 Ellie Chowns Green North Herefordshire
Transport
Context

Young students have stopped their studies due to problems with the reliability and cost of public transport. Older residents benefit from free bus travel, but younger individuals do not.

Question

In my constituency, bus services are a lifeline for residents of all ages, young and old. I was shocked to hear at a recent meeting at Hereford sixth-form college that 21 students this year have had to stop their studies because of problems with the reliability and cost of public transport. Our older residents get free bus travel, but our young people do not. Does the Minister agree that it is essential that every young person is enabled to access education, employment and training? Will he meet me to discuss how the Department for Transport can work with the Department for Education to ensure that all young people can access those opportunities?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. The English national concessionary travel scheme provides off-peak bus travel to those who are eligible, including those with disabilities and those of state pension age—currently 66. However, local authorities have the power to go above and beyond their statutory obligations. Areas including the hon. Lady’s area will receive bus service improvement plans funding, which can be used for exactly that, but I am of course more than happy to meet her to discuss this further.

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