Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to increase bus usage.

The Bus Services Act 2017 presents local authorities with new powers to bring about change, and unlock the potential for the bus industry to increase passenger numbers.

In particular, new Enhanced Partnership and Advanced Quality Partnership powers provide the framework for authorities to work side by side with operators to set a shared vision for bus services in their area.

Bus Open Data powers will require bus operators in England to open up route and timetable, fares and tickets and real time information for passengers by 2020. These improvements aim to remove uncertainty in bus journeys, improve journey planning and help passengers secure best value tickets.

Accessible Information powers will require all operators of local bus services to provide audio and visual route and next stop announcements on board buses across Great Britain, helping to remove barriers to bus travel particularly for those with disabilities or accessibility needs.

The Government also continues to invest in public transport. As an example, at the Autumn Budget the Government announced that the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority would receive a guaranteed allocation of £74m from the £1.7bn Transforming Cities Fund to improve public transport.