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
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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
6 results
Clear
12 Conclusion Acknowledged
3rd Report – Buses connecting comm…
Mandate local authorities publish methodology and develop common standards for socially necessary services.
The Department should mandate local transport authorities to publish a transparent methodology for how they determine which bus services qualify as socially necessary, to ensure public accountability. The Department should also develop common standards, and guidance, which the local formulas … Read more
Government Response
The government stated it would clarify aspects related to socially necessary services in the next revision of the franchising guidance, but did not explicitly commit to mandating LTAs to publish transparent methodologies or developing overarching common standards for these assessments.
Department for Transport
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13 Conclusion Acknowledged
3rd Report – Buses connecting comm…
Statutory duty to list socially necessary services fails to address unmet needs.
The proposed statutory duty on local transport authorities to list socially necessary services applies only to those already in operation. There is no statutory requirement in the Bus Services (No.2) Bill for authorities to assess unmet needs or identify where … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the vision to grow patronage and improve services, stating that local authorities are already expected to set out their vision in BSIPs and are supported with funding for new services. It acknowledges challenges and commits to working with LTAs to improve services, but does not address the lack of a statutory requirement to assess unmet needs.
Department for Transport
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22 Conclusion Acknowledged
3rd Report – Buses connecting comm…
Bus franchising reforms must embed stronger employment practices for workers
The Government’s franchising reforms offer a clear opportunity to embed stronger and fairer employment practices across the sector. Better pay, fair progression, and stable conditions are not only essential for retaining drivers but are also critical to maintaining reliable and … Read more
Government Response
The government states that robust legislation (TUPE) already safeguards employees during franchising transitions and that franchising authorities can already include expectations for staff pay and conditions in contracts. Updated franchising guidance will address contractual matters following consultation.
Department for Transport
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23 Recommendation Acknowledged
3rd Report – Buses connecting comm…
Require local transport authorities adopting franchising to incorporate improved employment standards
The Department should consider the practicalities of requiring local transport authorities which adopt bus franchising to incorporate improved employment standards for bus workers. This should include minimum pay rates—based on the London model—and fair pay progression based on a driver’s … Read more
Government Response
The government states that robust legislation (TUPE) already safeguards employees during franchising transitions and that franchising authorities can already include expectations for staff pay and conditions in contracts. Updated franchising guidance will address contractual matters following consultation.
Department for Transport
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31 Recommendation Acknowledged
3rd Report – Buses connecting comm…
Devolving control alone is insufficient to deliver improved bus services without national strategic goals.
We welcome the Government’s reforms aimed at devolving greater control to local authorities. This will not on its own, however, be a sufficient vehicle for delivering all the positive outcomes the Minister described as wanting for bus services. There is … Read more
Government Response
The government states it will consider future opportunities to outline its policy and vision for local bus services, and reiterates its existing vision for an attractive, accessible, and well-used bus service. It does not commit to creating a new national statement of strategic goals with a clear pathway as recommended.
Department for Transport
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32 Recommendation Acknowledged
3rd Report – Buses connecting comm…
Publish a new national policy for buses within 18 months with a clear vision.
The Government should within 18 months publish a new national policy for buses that sets out a clear vision for what a successful bus network looks like and what it should achieve. It should outline how buses interact 52 with … Read more
Government Response
The government states it will consider future opportunities to outline its policy and vision for bus services and describes its existing vision to grow usage and improve services through local empowerment and investment, without committing to publishing a new national policy within 18 months.
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