Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to support elderly people in rural areas who rely on public transport when they can no longer drive a car.
Local transport policy is ultimately a matter for local authorities.
Government recognises that local buses are the most commonly used mode of public transport, particularly for older people; and therefore provides for free local bus travel across England to ensure that no older person in England needs to be prevented from bus travel by cost alone.
The Government also funds the thirteen Mobility Centres of England, which support elderly people to keep driving safely or retain mobility. There are also 44 outreach centres.
The Government published its draft Accessibility Action Plan in August for public consultation, which includes a commitment by the Mobility Centres to extend their range of services by creating community ‘hubs’ of knowledge and services that provide advice on how to use public transport in the local area and on disability rail cards, as well as developing dedicated advice staff. The Department will publish its Final Accessibility Action Plan in 2018, following consideration of consultation feedback.