Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that Transport Authorities work collectively to enhance cross-boundary bus routes.

The government is determined to deliver better bus services, grow passenger numbers and drive opportunity to under-served regions. The government has set out a plan to achieve this, based on giving local leaders the tools they need to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities they serve, including considering how cross-boundary bus routes can improve the experience for bus passengers. As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will introduce a Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right 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 these ambitions.