Written question asked by Richard Younger-Ross (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 February 2010. It was answered by Sadiq Khan (Labour) on Monday, 22 February 2010 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Public Transport: Rural Areas

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage greater use of public transport in large rural areas.

Answer: The Government pay over £58 million annually in rural bus subsidy grant payments and have just published a "toolkit" for local authorities planning rural transport provision; this is alongside guidance encouraging greater partnership with community transport operators, who provide valuable services in rural areas.The Government also support a large number of rural rail services funded via the franchising process and by direct grants to Network Rail. They also provide support to community rail partnerships through the Association of Community Rail Partnerships and small scale grants for projects on designated community rail routes.

Secondary information