Submitted by: Darlington and District Branch, NCW

The National Council of Women, is concerned that: rural bus services may no longer be subsidised and therefore will be reduced, or removed altogether; the considerable increase in rail fares discourages people from traveling by train; passengers on busy rail services are regularly unable to find a seat; we need to encourage more efficient use of public transport, urgesHer Majesty’s government:

(a) not to reduce its subsidy to the railways, but to check that it is being used efficiently to improve the services;

(b) to maintain public services and reasonable fares so that young people can access education, the workforce can travel to and from work, everyone, including the elderly and the vulnerable, can use public transport to enable them to enjoy an acceptable quality of life;

(c) to make further progress in improving access by public transport to connecting services, and include adequate parking, for people in rural communities;

(d) to take steps to maximise the use of public (road and rail) transport services at an affordable price.