Welcome to the latest newsletter from the Rural Vulnerability Service - brought to you by the Rural Services Network and the Rural England CIC in association with Calor.

The vulnerability service aims to disseminate information about three key rural issues: fuel poverty, broadband and rural transport.

Latest updates:

Bus travel plummets amid funding cuts

14 December 2017
The percentage of public transport journeys taken by local bus is at its lowest since records began.
(The Telegraph)

Rural parking charges: Proposal under fire

15 December 2017
Surrey County Council (SCC) has deferred its decision over introducing controversial parking fees at some of the county's top rural beauty spots.
(Get Surrey)

Villagers 'will be cut off' if bus routes lost

27 November 2017
Fears have been raised for the future of many rural villages after Staffordshire County Council last week approved plans to cut bus subsidies from next April.
(The Sentinel)

Travel scheme for rural areas expanded

1 December 2017
A TRAVEL scheme for rural areas has been extended in Wales.
(Leader Live)

Car scheme fills public transport void

18 December 2017
With a decline in bus services available locally, transport for those without a car can be a big challenge.
(Richmondshire Today)

Improved bus routes on their way

8 December 2017
New bus routes starting in Lancashire next week will see public transport restored to a number of villages.
(Burnley Express)

Driver pass rates ‘could explain road deaths’

18 December 2017
Learner drivers in the west of Ireland are more likely to pass their driving test – and this may help to explain the higher numbers of deaths on rural roads, a study has revealed.
(The Times)

Petition to fix 'awful' public transport

30 November 2017
Calls have been made for an increase in public transport for rural areas over fears elderly and disabled people are becoming socially isolated.
(Chard & Ilminster News)

Major shake-up of free school bus service

27 November 2017
Parents and schools may have to fork out if major proposals to overhaul the free school transport system in Suffolk are approved, it is feared.
(EADT)

Volunteer bus service is providing a lifeline

9 December 2017
A volunteer bus service is providing a lifeline for rural communities in the Yorkshire Dales.
(Yorkshire Post)

Plan to fix 'creaking' railways unveiled

29 November 2017
Firms which operate passenger services would also manage the tracks their trains run on, under government plans to fix "creaking" UK railways.
(BBC Online)

Poor public transport to blame for rural drink-driving

11 December 2017
Lack of public transport in rural areas is worsening a drink-drive epidemic, the transport minister has suggested.
(The Telegraph)

Rip-off deliveries for rural areas

13 December 2017
A review of excessive delivery fees in which Scottish consumers are charged more than shoppers in the rest of the UK has been ordered.
(The Times)