In its first inquiry of the 2024 Parliament, the House of Commons’ Transport Committee will investigate the importance of England’s buses services in connecting rural communities with neighbouring towns and suburban areas.
The committee will also assess how services can best be integrated into multi-modal transport networks.Â
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.
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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 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.
“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.”
Achievements and innovations in sustainable transport planning will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector – and to book your table!
