Member

The Minister has suggested that new BSIP guidance will address those points, but I gently say that BSIP guidance can change. The original 2021 bus service improvement plan mechanism was specifically not about supporting existing routes, and then there was an about-turn in 2023 with BSIP+. Legislation, not guidance, should support local leaders to make the call on service enhancements and provide the ability to try new and innovative approaches when the goal is to grow passenger numbers. After all, growing passenger numbers is ingrained in the national bus strategy, and I was pleased that the Minister mentioned it in the first part of his opening remarks.