Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she will take to help make the public transport system more accessible for rural users.

The Government knows that Britain needs a modern transport network to help kickstart economic growth. Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech, the Government will introduce the Better Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, to ensure networks can meet the needs to the communities who rely on them, including in rural areas across England.

We also plan to empower local transport authorities through reforming bus funding. By giving local leaders more control and flexibility over bus funding they can plan ahead to deliver their local transport priorities. The Department will work closely with local leaders and bus operators to deliver on the Government’s ambitions.

The Secretary of State has set out plans for the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation by delivering publicly owned passenger rail within the first term in government. The Government will do this as contracts with existing operators expire or if the relevant contractual conditions for early termination are met. The Passenger Railway Services Bill, announced on 17 July, will allow the Government to deliver on this commitment to bring rail services back into public ownership.

The Government will also establish a new arm's length body, Great British Railways, which will deliver a unified system that focuses on reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient services; along with ensuring safety and accessibility.