Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to reduce injuries to passengers, staff and other road users caused by buses outside London.

Our National Bus Strategy published in March 2021 made clear that the bus sector must strive for the highest safety standards, upheld by the Traffic Commissioners.

The Strategy required all Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) to publish a local Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) by the end of October 2021. The Department was clear that BSIPs should include plans on how LTAs and local bus operators will work together to ensure that bus services are safe and perceived to be safe by all. This may include measures such as appropriate passenger safety training for bus drivers to deal with emergency situations on or off the bus, and encouraging bus operators to liaise with local police and other stakeholders to address safety concerns.