Buses remain the most used form of public transport, but in many areas of England, services and passenger numbers are in decline.
In its first inquiry of the 2024 Parliament, the Transport Committee will 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.
It comes after the Government announced major reforms to the sector, and after the Autumn Budget saw the cap on a single bus fare retained but rise to £3.
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. 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.
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 (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 written evidence
The Committee now welcomes written evidence submissions that respond to the following terms of reference for the inquiry. Submissions should be made via the Committee’s website by 11.59pm on 17 January 2025.
a. 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.
b. The effectiveness of recent Government policy in tackling declines in bus services.
c. How effectively bus services function as part of integrated multi-modal networks that improve mobility for people who live in areas with declining services.
d. 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.
e. 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.
f. 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.
g. 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.
h. 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.
Responding to the announcement, Max Sugarman, Chief Executive of Intelligent Transport Systems UK, said: “ITS UK members will strongly welcome the Committee’s new inquiry into buses and the role that innovations like demand responsive transport (DRT) and smart ticketing can play.
“In ITS UK’s Future of Transport Manifesto, we set out how DRT offers opportunities to provide communities around the country, and particularly those in rural areas, with better connectivity. However, if we are to make full use of DRT services, the Government should ensure it is placed on its own regulatory footing, including allowing smaller, more cost-efficient vehicles to be used without being charged VAT. Similarly, in ITS UK’s Manifesto we highlight the need for a renewed focus on smart ticketing, which can create more seamless journeys for those using our bus network and support the Government’s vision of an integrated transport network.
“We look forward to working with the Committee to make the case for the role transport technology can play in supporting the UK’s bus system.”