Speeches by Lightwood.

“In terms of data, we are looking at more and more open data and pulling it together in a cohesive hub. You will see already that we have worked in partnership with Google, so that you can see the real-time location of 80% of the buses outside London. That gives real confidence across the network for people to be able t…”

“There is some transformative change set out in our vision and principles, and this will really provide those long-term benefits for people. We have those 40 key policy commitments that I touched on, and they will deliver really tangible benefits across the country. One of the areas where people will see a real differen…”

“Good morning. My name is Simon Lightwood. I am the Minister for Roads and Buses.”

“That will be a commercial decision for First Bus about whether to invest in those services. The option remains for local leaders to consider whether they want to pursue franchising and take greater control over that issue. They could also lift the ban on establishing new municipal bus companies. There are options there…”

“Yes, of course. We are all in a common endeavour there.”

“I would anticipate that the vast majority of those 40 commitments will happen within this Parliament, and we will commit to continuing to keep you updated on that. I am sure we can give you periodic updates, as well as an update near the end. I would really expect to be able to demonstrate against most of the headline …”

“It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms McVey. I congratulate the hon. Member for West Dorset (Edward Morello) on securing this important debate. He has been a committed champion of bus services and transport needs in his constituency, and I thank him for the constructive tone with which he has approached t…”

“Sitting suspended.”

“”

“This is a framework—it is a framework to build on—and we will continue engaging across the sector to learn the lessons and make sure that we are achieving it; if we are not, we will change tack. We will use the metrics to learn and develop. But it has only just been published, so we need some time for it to settle in—”

“It is important to say that if we are not seeing the progress we want to see when we are doing these updates, it gives us an opportunity to look at what other things we can do or to change tack in order to achieve outcomes. We have to learn as we go, obviously.”

“Well, every area is different—”

“It is around people coming together, isn’t it? It is about having those discussions, and looking at a cohesive, integrated network within localities. It is not easy. There is ripple effect. If you hold that bus back, are you preventing those people from getting to the hospital or to their job on time? There are impacts…”

“I am not saying we should not, but again that bus might be five minutes later getting to the stop, which may cause somebody to be late. There may be other things that add on to that. There is a bigger impact, potentially. Again, having bus franchising helps with making those decisions, rather than having five different…”

“Some of this is local decisions, and quite rightfully so because—”

“That is in the strategy, although I do not think we call it autonomous vehicles; I think it is referred to as self-driving cars. It is in there, and obviously that should complement existing transport networks and be considered as part of our vision. It highlights automated passenger services and the permitting scheme …”

“Yes, I agree.”

“The framework brings together all the right people. We are maximising the opportunity for that to happen through bus franchising and the work on rail reform. Obviously, we have things such as the Bus Centre of Excellence, so we can learn from each other as well. We have backed that up with multi-year funding: £3 billio…”

“The strategy gives us a clear vision for a more integrated transport system that puts people first. It is a common framework, if you like. We are embedding those principles across the transport network and, as I said, giving local leaders the powers, the funding and the tools they need in order to deliver for their loc…”

“We will be directing them as part of the Government—”