MPs launch new inquiry for passenger transport in isolated communities

• Transport Committee

As part of a scheme to encourage paperless working and maximise efficiency, the Committee is using a new web portal for online submissions of written evidence. Written submissions for this inquiry should therefore be sent via the Transport Committee website.

The Chair of the Committee, Louise Ellman MP, has said:

“People from different communities across the UK should have access to adequate transport services. We will be looking at how best to meet the needs of passengers in isolated communities, including rural areas, island communities, and suburban or urban areas with poor transport connections. We are particularly interested in the provision of bus and rail services, as well as the role of Community Transport services.”

The Committee intends to hear oral evidence in the Autumn. Ahead of this, it would like to receive written evidence on the following points:

• How do Government and local authorities identify demand for passenger transport in isolated communities (including rural and urban areas and island communities)?
• To what extent are the needs of different groups of passengers (e.g. people with disabilities, older people, young people) taken into account in determining the provision of public transport to isolated communities?
• What are the main challenges associated with providing better and more consistent bus and rail services to isolated communities? How can these challenges be overcome?
• How effectively do Community Transport services address the needs of passengers in isolated communities? How could Community Transport be improved?
• To what extent should passengers in isolated communities be expected to rely on taxis and other demand-responsive transport services?
• What are the main challenges associated with funding transport services in isolated communities? How can these services be made more affordable?

We would be grateful to receive written submissions by Monday 2 September.

Notes on the submission of written evidence
                                                                                       
It assists the Committee if those submitting written evidence adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Written submissions should be as short as is consistent with conveying the relevant information. As a rough guide, it is helpful if they can be confined to six pages or less. Paragraphs should be numbered for ease of reference. A summary of the main points at the start of the submission is helpful.
2. Evidence should be submitted online in Word or Rich Text format, with as little use of colour and images as possible. If you wish to submit written evidence to the Committee in another format you must contact a member of staff to discuss this. The body of the e-mail should include a contact name, telephone number and postal address. It should be absolutely clear who the submission is from, particularly whether it is on behalf of an organisation or in the name of an individual.
3. Once accepted by the Committee, written evidence becomes the Committee’s property and it may decide to publish it or make other public use of it. If the Committee decides to accept your contribution as evidence we will email you formally accepting it as such. You may publicise or publish your submission yourself, once you receive the formal acceptance of your evidence to the Committee. When doing so, please indicate that it has been submitted to the Committee.
4. The Committee will publish the majority of written evidence that is received, but some submissions will be placed in the Parliamentary Archives for public inspection rather than being printed or published online. If you do not wish your submission to be made public, you must clearly say so, and should contact a member of staff to discuss this. Though the Committee is happy to receive copies of published material or correspondence sent to other parties, formal submissions of evidence should be original work produced for the Committee and not published elsewhere.
5. Committee staff are happy to give more detailed guidance on giving evidence to a select committee, or further advice on any aspect of the Committee’s work, by phone or e-mail.

Additional information on submitting evidence to a Select Committee is available online in the House of Commons Guide to Witnesses.

Further information

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