Watch my speech on boosting rural bus services

Today, we debated the Bus Services Bill for the first time.

If passed, this bill would, among other things, put a duty on local authorities to implement socially necessary services, such as those needed for commuting.

I welcome this idea in principle, but, as I said during the debate, the Government must go further if it is to truly deliver the bus revolution it has promised.

In rural areas like South Devon, buses aren’t just for commuting. For young people, they are a vital way to access the world and build experiences. When you live in a small village with no shop, no café, and no reliable bus, how are you meant to get any experience if you can’t travel?

In Ireland, we’ve seen what’s possible. Rural bus use has increased fivefold since 2018 because the Irish government invested in rural transportation and created new services where they were needed.

That stands in stark contrast to what we’ve seen here, with many services being reduced or cut altogether. I listed some of those services during the debate and talked about the impact of these cuts.

I believe this bill has potential, but it must be backed with the ambition and investment rural communities like ours in South Devon desperately needed. Let’s hope we see it!