A report by a committee of MPs said that community transport provided an important service, but central government and local authorities could not expect voluntary community projects to compensate for decreased bus services. It said that the Department for Transport needed to show strategic leadership in driving joined-up policy-making to allow people who lived in isolated communities to participate fully in society, and recommended the large-scale piloting of pooled transport systems.
Source: Passenger Transport in Isolated Communities, Fourth Report (Session 2014–15), HC 288, House of Commons Transport Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Committee press release | BBC report
Date: 2014-Jul
The Scottish Government published a report outlining anticipated benefits of independence for rural connectivity in Scotland, including: improved digital connectivity; fairer parcel delivery charges and ownership of the Royal Mail; fairer fuel prices and energy bills; better transport links; and development of rural renewables. The report said that an independent Scotland would establish an expert, independent Rural Connectivity Commission.
Source: Scotland's Future: Connecting rural Scotland, Scottish Government
Links: Report | Summary | Scottish Government press release
Date: 2014-Jul