Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rural Transport Connections

Thursday 12 February 2026 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Bus Services Act 2025 gives local leaders control over planning routes and timetables for villages.
  • 3 billion is available through the local transport grant this year.
  • The Government plans to address better integration of transport systems with a forthcoming integrated national transport strategy.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Aphra Brandreth Con Chester South and Eddisbury
Transport Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Villages like Little Budworth in the Chester South and Eddisbury constituency lack public transport, leaving families with no alternatives if a child misses the school bus. Parents have asked for spare seats on dedicated buses.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to help improve rural transport connections. In my constituency, villages have no bus services; families rely on infrequent and unreliable buses. Why can they not pay for spare seats on existing school buses?

Answer from Lilian Greenwood

The Bus Services Act 2025 gives local leaders control over planning routes and timetables for villages. £2.3 billion is available through the local transport grant this year. The Minister will be happy to talk about her proposals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific request to pay for spare seats on existing school buses was not addressed

How: Will Be Happy To Talk

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Q2 Aphra Brandreth Con Chester South and Eddisbury
Transport Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Millions of bus miles were lost under the previous government, particularly in rural areas. Families rely on infrequent buses that often do not turn up, leaving no alternatives if a child misses the school bus.

Question

In my constituency, villages like Little Budworth have no bus services at all and are far from public transport. Why can they not pay for spare seats on existing school buses? Will the Minister work with me and local councils to deliver a more flexible approach?

Answer from Lilian Greenwood

Millions of bus miles were lost under the previous Government. The Bus Services Act puts power back with local leaders. Local leaders can plan routes that work for villages and enhance partnerships to improve services. I am sure the Minister will be happy to talk about her proposals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific request for spare seats on existing school buses was not addressed

How: Will Be Happy To Talk

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Q3 Terry Jermy Lab South West Norfolk
Transport
Context

Norfolk county council received significant funding for bus services, opening new rural routes. However, there is no proper link with train services.

Question

What more can the Government do to get buses and trains working together? We need a truly integrated transport system.

Answer from Lilian Greenwood

We need better integration of transport systems. The forthcoming integrated national transport strategy will address this issue.

Not addressed: Specific actions for bus-train integration were not provided

How: Forthcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy

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