Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mohammad Yasin and Robert Courts

Thursday 17th March 2022 Commons Chamber

[Robert Courts]

I commend my hon. Friend on being a true champion for Ynys Môn. We continue to work closely with her and operators on the development of attractive timetables that are reliable, deliver excellent performance and are good value for money. Thanks to her campaign and that work, the two trains per day from London to Holyhead will increase to four in May, and we are looking to bring back more.

[Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab)]

There are conflicting views on East West Rail as a project to improve connectivity, but the one thing we all agree on in Bedford is that the delayed consultation response, the potential demolition of homes and concerns about the environment are taking a toll on residents. We need clarity, so will the Minister tell us whether the DFT is backtracking on the project? Will he instruct East West Rail to urgently publish its proposals?

[Robert Courts]

I will ask the Rail Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Wendy Morton) to respond in detail to the concerns that the hon. Gentleman has raised as soon as possible.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mohammad Yasin and Robert Courts

Thursday 3rd February 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab)]

19. What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for bus service improvement plans.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Robert Courts)]

At the Budget, we announced £1.2 billion of new dedicated funding for bus transformation deals. We will provide details of indicative allocations in due course.

[Mohammad Yasin]

Bus companies have suffered financially during the pandemic, and this cost is being felt by customers in downgraded services. Stagecoach has had to replace its coaches from Bedford to Cambridge with double-decker buses with no toilet facilities. This leaves older people, sometimes travelling to access medical treatment, without access to a toilet for 90 minutes. When will the Government give bus companies the investment they need to improve services?

[Robert Courts]

Well, we are doing that at the moment. There is £1.2 billion of new funding, delivering improvements in bus services, fares and infrastructure in England outside London, and that is just part of over £3 billion of new spend on buses in the course of this Parliament.