Buses remain the most used form of public transport but in many areas of England services are still finding themselves struggling and passenger numbers remain in decline. In its first inquiry of the 2024 Parliament, the Transport Committee plans to investigate the importance of England’s buses services in connecting rural communities with neighbouring towns and suburban areas, and how services can best be integrated into multi-modal transport networks. The cross-party Committee will examine the effectiveness of recent Government policies that have tried to reverse the decline in bus ridership, and look at what has worked in different regions and counties.
Research by the Institute for Transport Studies indicates that rural bus services in England and Wales have seen footfall drop by 52% since 2008, and some local authorities have seen declines of over 80%, such as Hart in Hampshire, Fenland in Cambridgeshire, and Broxtowe in Nottinghamshire. The Committee will focus on evaluating whether innovations in the sector, such as smart ticketing or demand responsive transport, have helped improve public confidence in local bus services and spur demand.
Analysis
The inquiry will also be a chance for the Committee to analyse the success or otherwise of different operating models between local government and bus companies, including Enhanced Partnerships which were introduced in 2017, and to look at franchising as used in London and Manchester.
MPs will also seek evidence about the social and economic impact of declining bus services and consider the broader value that well-run bus services can leverage for different communities.
Chair of the Transport Committee Ruth Cadbury said: “The statistics that show bus ridership falling off a cliff in many parts of the country are staggering, yet in some major cities there is still demand and faith in local services. This inquiry will be about looking for ways to end the downward spiral of passengers giving up after seeing routes and timetables salami sliced.
“It goes without saying that transport is the glue that holds communities together by enabling people, particularly outside big towns and cities, to socialise, get to work or school and spend their money with local businesses. Scrutiny of how to revive bus services will be to everyone’s benefit, but particularly to young people, older residents and the less well off.
“The Committee now welcomes written evidence submissions that will help get our inquiry off to the best start, help us ask the right questions and get the best answers.”
Call for evidence
The Committee is seeking written evidence submissions that respond to the terms of reference for the inquiry, which should be made via the Committee’s website by 2359hrs on 17 January 2025. These should address:
- How the Government’s proposed reforms of powers over buses in England, and recently-announced funding, should take into account the particular challenges of rural areas and local authorities outside major cities, and how authorities in these areas can make best use of those powers and funding;
- The effectiveness of recent Government policy in tackling declines in bus services;
- How effectively bus services function as part of integrated multi-modal networks that improve mobility for people who live in areas with declining services;
- The social and economic impacts of poor connectivity on access to education, healthcare, employment, and social inclusion in communities, as well as on the economy of towns and villages;
- The effectiveness of current funding models and governance structures in enabling local transport authorities and commercial operators to improve, sustain and keep bus services outside major metropolitan areas affordable, and the potential effectiveness of alternatives;
- Evaluating the potential of alternative service models, including demand responsive transport (DRT) and community transport, and other innovations or technologies which could support or replace buses serving less populated communities, and what steps the Government should take to support them;
- How successful Enhanced Partnerships (EPs) have been so far in improving bus services outside major urban areas, whether franchising is likely to provide a better framework for these areas, and whether there are alternative models worth exploring;
- How well policy, funding and oversight of bus services allow services that straddle rural and non-rural areas, and local government boundaries, to be managed.
