Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve bus services in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this parliamentary session, which will put decision-making into the hands of local leaders across England, including in South Basildon and East Thurrock. This will allow local areas to determine how best to design their bus services so that they have control over routes and schedules.

The government has also committed to increasing accountability by providing safeguards over local networks across the country and empowering local transport authorities through reforms to bus funding.