Asked by: Richard Foord (Liberal Democrat - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) rural and (b) cross-county border bus services.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Since March 2020, the Government has announced over £4.5 billion to support and improve bus services. This includes £2 billion in emergency and recovery funding to maintain services during the pandemic; over £1 billion allocated in 2022 to help local transport authorities (LTAs) deliver their Bus Service Improvement Plans; a further £1 billion redirected from HS2 to improve bus services in the North and the Midlands as part of Network North; £300 million in ongoing funding to support and improve services until April 2025; and nearly £600 million to cap single bus fares at £2 from 1 January 2023 until the end of 2024.
The Government also makes over £200 million available directly to bus operators every year through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) to keep fares down and help them maintain an extensive network. LTAs in England outside of London also receive £42 million annually through the BSOG for the purpose of subsidising socially necessary services that would otherwise be commercially unviable, helping to support rural routes.
The Government believes LTAs, working with operators, are best placed to determine the shape and structure of local bus services. The funding we are providing to the sector can be used to support and improve services across England outside London, including those running in rural areas or those that cross county borders.
In addition, our £20 million Rural Mobility Fund in England is supporting 16 innovative, demand-led minibus trials in rural and suburban areas across 16 local authorities in England. These pilots are exploring whether Demand Responsive Transport can serve these communities more effectively than traditional public transport solutions alone.
Asked by: Richard Foord (Liberal Democrat - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help people book a driving test close to where they live.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
As of 18 September 2023, there were 561,275 car practical driving tests booked, and 64,817 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window.
The average waiting time during August 2023 for a car practical driving test in England was 20.7 weeks, and in the South West it was 18.9 weeks.
A full driving licence allows a driver to use any roads, not just those they are familiar with. To be safe and competent, learner drivers need a broad range of driving experience in different areas and on different roads. Candidates do not, therefore, need to take their driving test at the nearest test centre to where they live.
Asked by: Richard Foord (Liberal Democrat - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average waiting time is for a driver's test in (a) England and (b) the South West as of 12 September 2023.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
As of 18 September 2023, there were 561,275 car practical driving tests booked, and 64,817 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window.
The average waiting time during August 2023 for a car practical driving test in England was 20.7 weeks, and in the South West it was 18.9 weeks.
A full driving licence allows a driver to use any roads, not just those they are familiar with. To be safe and competent, learner drivers need a broad range of driving experience in different areas and on different roads. Candidates do not, therefore, need to take their driving test at the nearest test centre to where they live.
Asked by: Richard Foord (Liberal Democrat - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the impact of inflation on rural bus services.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Government recognises the importance of transport for rural areas and is committed to improving access to services that provide vital connectivity. The Government pays almost £260 million per year in Bus Service Operators Grant, which benefits passengers by helping operators keep fares down, and enabling operators to run services that might otherwise be unprofitable and could lead to cancellation.
The Government has also provided nearly £2 billion in emergency and recovery funding to local transport authorities and bus operators since March 2020 to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on bus services and protect local bus routes. This includes an additional £130 million to continue support services until March 2023.
The Government does recognise that inflationary pressures, including rising fuel costs, are impacting operating costs of bus services across England. Recovery funding provided to LTAs from April this year has accounted for forecast inflationary increases.
Asked by: Richard Foord (Liberal Democrat - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what financial support is available to local bus franchises to protect rural bus routes.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Government recognises the importance of transport for rural areas and is committed to improving access to services that provide vital connectivity. The Government pays almost £260 million per year in Bus Service Operators Grant, which benefits passengers by helping operators keep fares down, and enabling operators to run services that might otherwise be unprofitable and could lead to cancellation.
The Government has also provided nearly £2 billion in emergency and recovery funding to local transport authorities and bus operators since March 2020 to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on bus services and protect local bus routes. This includes an additional £130 million to continue support services until March 2023.
The Government does recognise that inflationary pressures, including rising fuel costs, are impacting operating costs of bus services across England. Recovery funding provided to LTAs from April this year has accounted for forecast inflationary increases.
Asked by: Richard Foord (Liberal Democrat - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to take steps to reduce the cost of rail tickets.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The Government is taking decisive action to reduce the impact inflation will have on rail fares during the cost of living crisis and, in August, we guaranteed we will not be increasing fares as much as the July RPI figure. We are also delaying any change to March 2023, temporarily freezing fares for passengers to travel at a lower price for the entirety of January and February.
Earlier this year we launched the Great British Rail Sale, the first ever nationwide rail sale. Over 1.3 million tickets were sold, offering around £7million worth of savings for passengers.
There are also several railcards available to passengers, which offer discounts against most rail fares.