Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh MP was questioned by the Transport Select Committee on policy, expenditure and administration across the remit of the Department for Transport.

During her evidence session, the Transport Secretary highlighted how buses are high on the priority list for the new government and and an essential tool for social justice, as they are a lifeline for people who do not have access to a car, particularly those on low incomes and older people

Haigh highlighted how this plan of action involves moving resources out into the regions and resourcing the Bus Center of Excellence (BCoE). 

We're resourcing up the Bus Center of Excellence so that we can skill up local authorities and their capability and really support them to deliver the the best and most appropriate, system for their community.

Louise Haigh MP, Secretary of State for Transport

The evidence session is available to watch here.

During the rest of the session Haigh describes how the Department for Transport aims to become an enabling department, supporting local transport authorities and mayoral combined authorities to develop bus networks and is working towards giving the same powers to every area of the country, allowing them to build networks or set up publicly owned bus companies as they see fit. The long-term goal is to reverse the long-term decline in passenger numbers outside London.

CIHT and the Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE) is looking forward to working with the Transport Select Committee and the Secretary of State for Transport to enable the delivery of better transport networks, that work for all.