Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of autonomous rail rapid transit for (a) Southampton, (b) the Solent region and (c) in general.

Government recognises the valuable role that mass transit networks can play as part of a truly integrated transport system, in the right circumstances, in our cities.

It is for Local Transport Authorities to bring forward mass transit plans, as they are best placed to identify possible opportunities and the potential benefits of such schemes.

The Department encourages authorities to take a mode neutral approach to mass transit schemes, and to develop proportionate solutions to local transport issues. it is important that local authorities consider affordability and projected demand alongside other cheaper fixed route options, such as bus rapid transit.

The Government is providing Southampton City Council with £15.56 million of capital funding from 2025/26 to 2029/30, and £890,000 of resource funding from 2026/27 to 2028/29 from the Local Transport Grant (LTG), which could be used to further develop their mass transit plans.