Contributions
625 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Bus FranchisingI thank my hon. Friend for his question. We are increasing the capacity of the Department for Transport to assist smaller authorities, so that all local transport authorities can…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingBuses matter to millions of people, but 14 years of the Tories’ broken bus system have led to countless communities being failed and a spiral of decline in bus services. I hope…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingOf course I want to make sure that bus fares are affordable. I will meet my hon. Friend to discuss his particular circumstances.09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingI could not agree more. The Government’s plans are the biggest reform of England’s bus system in 40 years, putting power in the hands of communities who need it the most. Today’s…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingI agree with my hon. Friend. I was pleased to visit a municipal bus company in Nottingham; the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingAbsolutely. We want to give local transport authorities and leaders the power to take back control of bus services, to shape the future of those services to accurately reflect the…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingThe plan makes it possible for all local transport authorities to take back control of their buses. There is also the option of enhanced partnerships and municipal ownership. I…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingI absolutely agree that rural bus routes and rural communities must be carefully considered. The best people to take that consideration are local leaders, which is why we are…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingI would welcome the opportunity to meet my hon. Friend.09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingAs I said, we are looking to consolidate and simplify the funding pots for bus services, and we hope to deliver more multi-year funding settlements.09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingI completely agree. This is fundamental to the work we have been pursuing to make franchising quicker and simpler, and to avoid the need for local transport authorities to spend…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. Effective public transport, including bus services, is fundamental to delivering many of our missions in government.09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingI am more than happy to meet any hon. Member.09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingI have already met the Mayor of the North-East on a number of occasions, and I am working closely with combined authorities and mayors across the country to make bus franchising…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingDelivering reliable and affordable public transport services for passengers is one of the Government’s top priorities, and we know how important it is for passengers and for local…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingWith Permission, Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement. Today marks the first stop on this Government’s journey to deliver better buses. Day in, day out, buses shoulder the needs…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingModernising our transport infrastructure and delivering better buses are at the heart of our plan to kick-start economic growth in every part of the country to get our country…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingI believe there should be a massive apology from the Opposition for the mess they have left this country in and for the mess they have left our bus services in. Following the…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingThe ability of local areas and local transport authorities to take back control of their bus services is crucial for rural areas, because they know their communities best. Those…09 Sept 2024HANSARD Bus FranchisingI can confirm that my officials are investigating the means to do just that, and I will update the House accordingly as progress continues.09 Sept 2024