Public Transport Connections (Review)

To ask the Scottish Government whether, as part of its plans for franchising and regulation, it will review existing bus service provision to identify communities that are poorly served or lack adequate public transport connections. (S7O-00422)

Katie Hagmann rightly highlights the reason why we are seeking to bring the bus network back under public control. There are many areas across Scotland where services are poor and are inadequate for the people who rely on them. I reassure Ms Hagmann that the preparatory work for future legislation is very much under way, and I look forward to engaging with her and with colleagues from across the chamber on that issue.

I absolutely welcome any efforts to improve bus connectivity, particularly in rural areas. If a review is undertaken, will the cabinet secretary ensure that it specifically considers villages that currently have little or no bus provision? Sorn, in my constituency of Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, is located close to Mauchline and Catrine, through which local bus services already operate, but it remains without a regular local bus service. Does the cabinet secretary agree that rural communities should not be left isolated simply because they fall outside existing routes, and will he ensure that any review considers the opportunities to improve connectivity for villages such as Sorn?

I agree that rural communities deserve a standard of bus service that many do not have, and Sorn appears to be one of those villages. Indeed, members from all parties have, in recent months, outlined to me issues across Scotland’s bus network. That is why it is important that we continue to progress our plans to bring the bus network back under public control. I reiterate my initial remark that I look forward to working closely with Katie Hagmann on that.