Transport: Rural Areas

Transport is a devolved matter, and the Department for Transport is predominantly responsible for transport in England only on most issues.

The Government knows how important affordable and reliable public transport services are in ensuring access to employment opportunities and keeping communities connected, including in rural areas. Bus services can often be the only means of accessing opportunities in rural areas, where alternative modes of transport are limited.

In England, we have introduced the Bus Services Act 2025 to give local leaders the tools they need and empower them to choose the model that works best for their communities, including tackling the unique challenges faced by rural areas.

In addition, the Government has confirmed over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support local leaders and bus operators to improve bus services over the spending review period. This support can be used to improve bus links in rural areas. We are also capping single bus fares at £3 on thousands of routes in England outside London until March 2027, ensuring passengers can travel for less.

The Government's commitment to public ownership and Great British Railways will also help to deliver a unified system that brings track and train back together and focuses on reliable, affordable, high-quality and efficient transport services, while also ensuring safety and accessibility. Under public ownership, passenger services can be operated in the interests of passengers, not shareholders.

Earlier this year, we published Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport, which sets out this government's vision for a transport network that works well for people so they can make the journeys they need to easily. It supports the creation of integrated transport systems that provide people with real choice in how they want to travel and empowers local leaders to deliver transport that is right for their communities, including rural areas.