In our large rural constituency, bus services are hugely important and I share the concern about reductions in timetables. As a member of the Transport Select Committee, I am pleased we have started our Buses inquiry. Over the winter months, we will be looking at a lack of competition, funding, modern vehicles to fit the size of service, concessionary bus passes and whether the young should have the same offer as pensioners. Our first evidence session heard from user groups and transport experts. I asked about bus profits, lack of competition, more help for students and suggested that any bus operator who cancels a route must keep it open for 6 months as an asset of community value to give another operator the chance to step in whilst the route is still operating. See the exchanges here: https://goo.gl/RDmBt, here: https://goo.gl/kj8KbJ and here: https://goo.gl/AdN7o9.