MPs launch inquiry into health of the bus market

Bus service use in England is in decline according to annual bus statistics produced by the Department for Transport. Although bus use per person has increased significantly in London over the last 25 years (+52%), it has fallen by 40% in other English metropolitan areas.

MPs will consider the reliability of bus services, how they are run in metro-mayor, other metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, how bus services are financed and examples of innovation and best practice.

The Committee is particularly interested to receive evidence on:

• the effectiveness and ambition of the Department for Transport’s policies on buses;
• factors affecting bus use, including the reliability of the bus service, congestion and the ways bus companies are dealing with congestion, and the effectiveness of bus priority measures;
• the provision of services to isolated communities in rural and urban areas, and the reliance ofparticular communitiesand groups of people on bus services;
• the viability and long-term sustainability of bus services, including the effectiveness of funding, fare structures and public grants;
• regulations affecting the provision of bus services and the adequacy of guidance to operators and local authorities.

Chair of the Transport Committee, Lilian Greenwood MP, said:

“There are a number of reasons for the sharp decline in bus use in England outside London over the past 25 years. Congestion, car ownership, an increase in online shopping,and reductions in local authority subsidies all play a part.

“Our inquiry seeks to gatherevidenceabout the health and future of the busmarket.

“We will look at operational factors including the impact of congestion and reliability. We’ll be asking about the most effective models for bus companies. The financing of buses,investment in services and value for money and progress since the Bus Services Act 2017 in metro and non-metro areas will all come under consideration.

“Buses are a vital lifeline in many communities but with funding streams falling and fares rising, their availability and attractiveness to the travelling public is under threat. A successful bus market can cut congestion, reduce social isolation, help the environment and offer a variety of economic benefits. I would encourage anyone with insight into this sector to submit evidence.”

Written submissions to the inquiry can be made via the evidence portal on the Committee’swebsite. The deadlineis 24September2018. 

Guidance for individuals and organisations giving written or oral evidence to House of Commons Select Committees is available on Parliament’s webpages. 

FURTHER INFORMATION: 

Committee membership: Lilian Greenwood MP, Chair (Lab, Nottingham South); Jack Brereton MP (Con, Stoke-on-Trent South); Ronnie Cowan MP (SNP, Inverclyde); Steve Double MP (Con, St Austell and Newquay); Paul Girvan MP (DUP, South Antrim); Huw Merriman MP (Con, Bexhill and Battle); Grahame Morris (Lab, Easington); Luke Pollard MP (Lab (Co-op), Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport); Iain Stewart MP (Con, Milton Keynes South); Graham Stringer MP (Lab, Blackley and Broughton); Daniel Zeichner MP (Lab, Cambridge).