Asked by: Alison Taylor (Labour - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve public transport links in towns where bus services have been reduced.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Transport in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Government.
With respect to bus services in England, the government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England. The government has committed to increasing accountability by including a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services.
In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.
Asked by: Alison Taylor (Labour - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the transport system supports economic growth.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Growth is the priority Mission of this government. Transport provides the connectivity needed to achieve it.
We are improving connectivity through infrastructure programmes such as HS2, East West Rail, and the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
We are empowering leaders, improving bus services, and better integrating networks to improve access to opportunities.