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<p>Our £20m Rural Mobility Fund is supporting 17 innovative, demand-led minibus trials
in rural and suburban areas. These pilots are exploring whether Demand Responsive
Transport (DRT) can serve these communities more effectively than traditional public
transport solutions alone. It is too early to assess the full impact of the pilots.
Each scheme is taking part in a detailed monitoring and evaluation process. This will
provide a strong base of evidence and good practice for DRT and a better understanding
of both the role it can play and the challenges associated with introducing it.</p><p>There
are not currently plans for further bespoke DRT funding. Whilst it is for Local Transport
Authorities (LTAs) to determine and prioritise investment in local transport, the
Government’s National Bus Strategy asked all LTAs outside London to publish a Bus
Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) covering the full area, including parts with differing
needs, such as rural elements. The Strategy encourages new forms of bus provision
in areas that are currently not adequately served by conventional timetabled buses.
It is clear that DRT can play a part in delivering this.</p><p> </p><p>Funding has
recently been allocated to 34 LTAs following assessment of their BSIPs, some of which
include proposals for DRT.</p><p> </p>
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