Written questions by West.

What efforts she is taking to make sure that car-sharing is available in London and across the UK, in the context of Zipcar closing its UK operations by the end of the year.

Car sharing, as one area of shared mobility, is an important option available to local authorities to help people travel, cut congestion and reduce emissions alongside public transport. The Minister for Local Transport met with the shared mobility industry in November to discuss its challenges and opportunities and how Government can continue to support the sector, ensuring that the right measures are in place to support car clubs across the UK. The Department is actively considering what more can be done, including to support local authorities, and is using feedback from the ministerial meeting to inform next steps.

What steps her Department is taking increase legal protections against violence and abuse at work for public transport workers.

The Government is committed to ensuring that public transport workers feel safe and are safe at work. There is no place for abuse or assault of any worker. The Department for Transport is working with industry and the British Transport Police on the railway to ensure it remains a safe environment for rail staff and passengers.Through the Bus Services (No.2) Bill, we propose to mandate training for staff working in the bus industry, including drivers and those who deal directly with the travelling public, on how to recognise and respond to incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour on public transport. We intend to make clear that training will require a person to take steps to prevent crime or anti-social behaviour only where it is safe to do so.The law is also clear that everyone should be protected from assault and harassment. In addition, there is a statutory aggravating factor for assaults against any public facing worker, including transport workers, which is provided by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.It is essential that staff continue to report any instances of abuse or violence to the police so it can be investigated and offenders brought to justice.