Buses connecting communities

Transport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 28 Nov 2024 Closed: 4 Mar 2026 Parliament page
In many parts of the country, bus services and passenger numbers are in decline. The Transport Committee will examine the role of buses in connecting rural communities with nearby towns and suburban areas. The inquiry will evaluate the effectiveness of recent Government policy in tackling the decline in bus services. … Read more
15 Recommendations
18 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
5 Events
Activity timeline 11 events
31 Oct
2025
Report published
13 Aug
2025
Report published
14 May
2025
Oral evidence
14 May
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
29 Apr
2025
Formal meeting (private meeting) · The Macmillan Room, Portcullis House
26 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
26 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
12 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
12 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
26 Feb
2025
Oral evidence
26 Feb
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
14 May 2025
View on parliament.uk
Simon Lightwood MP · Department for Transport Stephen Fidler · Department for Transport
26 Mar 2025
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Alistair Hands · Arriva Group Graham Vidler · Confederation of Passenger Transport Judith Barker · Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Martin Dean · The Go-Ahead Group Miriam Binsztok · Cornwall Council Mr Damien Jones · Local Government Association Mrs Naomi Green · England's Economic Heartland Stephen Rhodes · Transport for Greater Manchester
12 Mar 2025
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Caroline Whitney · Community Transport Association James West · Padam Mobility Max Sugarman · Intelligent Transport Systems UK
26 Feb 2025
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Andrew Summers · Transport East Mr Ben Simm · Leicestershire County Council Paul Miner · CPRE - The Countryside Charity Professor Karen Lucas · University of Manchester Robert Morton · Unite the Union Silviya Barrett · Campaign for Better Transport Simon Mathieson · First bus Stephen Frost · Institute of Public Policy Research
Title HC No. Published Items Response
3rd Report – Buses connecting communities HC 494 13 Aug 2025 33 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
21 Recommendation Accepted in Part
3rd Report – Buses connecting comm…
Establish framework for local authorities' early access to operator data for bus franchising
The Department should set out a clear framework to ensure that local transport authorities have early access to operator data on patronage, fares and costs when undertaking a statutory assessment for bus franchising. The framework should include defined timescales for … Read more
Government Response
The government states that LTAs already have statutory data powers requiring operators to provide necessary data. It commits to setting out a clear framework for data access, including timescales and safeguards, within the next substantive revision of the franchising guidance.
Department for Transport
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28 Recommendation Accepted in Part
3rd Report – Buses connecting comm…
Establish a coherent national framework for alternative transport models to ensure sustainable funding.
Alternative transport models such as DRT and community transport are essential for improving connectivity where conventional services are unviable. This makes them a possible model for sustaining socially necessary services. Their potential is being undermined, however, by fragmented regulation, inconsistent … Read more
Government Response
The government is developing DRT best practice guidance and updating EP/franchising guidance to help local authorities integrate DRT/CT and use existing funding for socially necessary services, with the first version expected later this year. However, it does not commit to establishing a new coherent national framework for sustainable funding.
Department for Transport
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29 Recommendation Accepted in Part
3rd Report – Buses connecting comm…
Develop a dedicated policy and regulatory framework for alternative public transport models within 18 months.
The Department should within 18 months develop a dedicated policy and regulatory framework for alternative and complementary public transport models, including Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT) and community transport. This framework should include growing and expanding their role in serving poorly connected … Read more
Government Response
The government is developing DRT best practice guidance and updating EP/franchising guidance to support local authorities in integrating DRT/CT and coordinating existing funding streams. However, it questions the need for a new dedicated policy and regulatory framework, preferring to support local authorities within the existing framework, and does not address all specific components of the recommendation.
Department for Transport
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Government Response AI assessment · 33 of 15 classified
Accepted 4
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 6
Deferred 18
Rejected 2
Total 15 recs + 18 conclusions