Wednesday 14 May, 09:15, Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
The Transport Committee will question Local Transport Minister
as it reaches the last
stop of its buses connecting
communities inquiry.
This session will be the Committee's opportunity to put the
evidence it has heard throughout this inquiry to the Minister and
a senior Department for Transport official.
Despite still being the most-used mode of public transport in
England, bus ridership has been in steep decline over the past
decade.
The Minister is likely to face questions on ways that the
Government could help protect ‘socially necessary' routes or
guarantee a minimum level of service, particularly in rural
areas.
Linked to this theme, Mr Lightwood will be asked about proposals
in the Bus Services No. 2 Bill, including enabling local
authorities to adopt franchised service models, or to continue
working in agreements with operators under strengthened Enhanced
Partnerships. The Committee has heard that many local authorities
may struggle to recruit staff with the expertise and skills that
would be needed to manage local services. There are also concerns
within the sector about challenges with recruiting and retaining
bus drivers.
There may be questions on the future of the bus fare cap, and
whether local authorities could be offered longer-term funding
settlements to help them plan and develop their services with
more certainty.
The cross-party Committee is also likely to ask about ways that
the Government could support community services run by charities
and non-profit organisations, as well as demand-responsive
services: where typically smaller buses can collect and drop off
passengers from locations they request. This means they can take
passengers, including those with mobility issues, to a wide range
of destinations.
Witnesses from 09:15
-
MP, Minister for Local
Transport, Department for Transport
- Stephen Fidler MP, Director of Buses and Inclusion,
Department for Transport
