§ Lord Bradshawasked Her Majesty's Government:
To what extent the rural bus service grant is meeting its aims. [HL3354]
§ Lord Davies of OldhamRural bus subsidy grant is fulfilling its primary purpose of improving access to services and facilities for those living in rural areas. Local authorities are supporting 1,900 new and improved rural bus services by means of the grant. About 21 million passenger journeys were made on those services in 2001–02. The grant has formed an important part of a package of support for rural transport which also includes support for projects under the Department for Transport's Rural Bus Challenge competition and the Countryside Agency's rural transport partnership and parish transport grant schemes.
The 2003 Budget Report announced that rural bus subsidy grant would be continued until 2005–06 with some modifications, including its extension to a wider range of demand responsive services.