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Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!
bus
The Transport Committee has warned that bus services in England have suffered a decade of decline, leaving many communities — particularly in smaller towns, coastal areas, and the countryside — increasingly cut off from jobs, education, healthcare, and...
The Rural Services Network is pleased to share details of new research from one of our members, the Community Transport Association (CTA), exploring the use of Section 22 permits in the delivery of community bus services. These services...
The recent introduction of the Bus Services Bill marks a significant legislative milestone aimed at revitalising public transportation across the country. The bill, which grants enhanced powers to local authorities, focuses on improving transport services particularly in rural...
The government has announced a significant £1 billion investment to boost bus services across England, aimed at improving accessibility and reducing the disparities in bus service quality across different regions. This funding initiative, announced by the Department for Transport and...
Last week, The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) released a new report, " The Economic Impact of Local Bus Services ," highlighting the considerable economic and social value that local bus services bring to communities across the UK....
A package of measures to empower local leaders to take control of their bus services was unveiled yesterday by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh – the first stop on the journey to better buses. Legislation was laid before Parliament yesterday...
In the face of a widening gap between rural and urban public transport services, England's rural communities are grappling with a bus provision crisis that underscores a growing divide in accessibility, mobility, and social cohesion. Analysis by the Channel...
Specially trained officers will patrol buses and bus stations in Lancashire as part of a new pilot scheme to help stamp out anti-social behaviour on public transport. RSN member, Lancashire County Council, has welcomed the news that it is one...
The government’s announcement hailed as a “plan for motorists” has been met with mixed reviews. The “long-term plan to back drivers” details measures which include: Reviewing guidance on 20mph speed limits in England; Preventing councils implementing...
The Government has promised to prioritise rural communities in its £129m roll out of hundreds of new zero-emission buses. The Transport Secretary, Mark Harper MP (Con, Forest of Dean) has announced the additional funding to help local transport authorities...
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HOT TOPICS
Amid reduced public spending, fair resource allocation across regions is crucial. Despite a population larger than Greater London, rural areas receive significantly less funding for essential services, even though delivering these services in rural areas is more expensive.
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and difficulties recruiting health and care workers.
Rural communities are grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, marked by high house prices, a lack of affordable housing, elevated living costs, and lower incomes, threatening their sustainability and vitality.
Transport is vital for the quality of life and economic health of rural areas, yet it faces challenges such as infrequent public bus services and less Government funding compared to urban regions.
Rural areas, encompassing a substantial portion of England's population and land, play a pivotal role in combating climate change and achieving the net zero target.
In an increasingly digital world, the lack of robust digital infrastructure in rural areas severely limits access to crucial services and stifles economic growth.
A future-focused vision for rural communities involves not just building the right homes in the right places but also ensuring thriving, sustainable communities.
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