Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure improved integration between (a) bus and (b) rail services through the Integrated National Transport Strategy.

The government knows that a modern, integrated public transport network is vital to providing access to services and opportunities for all users of the system and keeping communities connected. Later this year, the Department will publish its Integrated National Transport Strategy and set the long-term vision for transport in England, placing people at the heart of how transport is designed, built and operated. Although the Strategy is still in development, it will aim to create a transport system where people can easily, reliably and safely carry out the journeys they want to make, including those across multiple modes.

We are working to improve both bus and rail services to support greater integration between transport modes. The Bus Services (No.2) Bill will place power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders, and the Public Ownership Act and Railways Bill will ensure the railways are delivering once again for passengers across the country.