Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to promote joined-up transport ticketing systems in (a) Bath and (b) Bristol.

We are working closely with the local authorities and transport operators in both Bath and Bristol to deliver integrated transport ticketing. Building better bus services: multi-operator ticketing was published by the Department in March 2013 and provides guidance for local transport authorities on planning and implementing multi-operator ticketing services. In October 2013 the Department established the Smart Cities Partnership programme to accelerate the delivery of smart multi-operator commercial tickets. The West of England Partnership, including Bath and Bristol, is a member of the Smart Cities Partnership and has, alongside other large cities, bus operators (and equipment suppliers), committed to delivery principles that will underpin growth in smart, multi-operator ticketing. The big five bus operators have undertaken to deliver multi-operator ticketing this year throughout the Smart Cities Partnership areas, including Bristol, and we will be working with them to support delivery.