We asked the Department what action it is taking to support rural areas which have seen significant cuts to bus services and poor performance, leaving would-be passengers stranded.13 The Department acknowledged that the recovery in bus usage was particularly challenging in rural areas. It told us it was up to local transport authorities to refine their bus service improvement plans and to work with bus operators to reverse the decline in performance.14 The Department described its role as supporting and empowering local transport authorities to make the best use of their bus funding and decision-making powers.15