The inaugural Quality Rural Bus 2025 event is supported by the Department for Transport and the Bus Centre of Excellence as they recognise that improving rural mobility is key to delivering Government's policy.
Rural mobility is a key policy area: In its first inquiry of the 2025 Parliament, the Transport Committee is investigating the importance of England's bus services in connecting rural communities, and recommendations from the Future of Transport: Rural Innovation policy paper, published under the former Government, are being taken forward.
"People who live in rural areas have unique needs when it comes to transport and we're always looking for ways to improve connections across the country"
Lilian Greenwood, Future of Roads Minister
Why attend?
Quality Rural Bus 2025 is for everyone involved in enhancing access and strengthening public transport links in Britain’s less densely-populated places – not only our most remote rural areas, but also our city fringe and green belt areas where conventional bus services need new thinking to thrive.
It’s a companion event to Quality Bus 2025, which will be taking place on 23 - 24 September at the Guildhall in Portsmouth, hosted by Portsmouth City Council. Our aim is to create the space to put the spotlight on innovative and cost-effective approaches to addressing rural transport needs.
The focus will be on delivering best practice and innovation from practitioners across the UK and Europe: the ‘heroes’ of rural bus who are delivering all the positive developments, and the ‘champions’ of rural bus who support and enable the full and varied spectrum of rural bus provision.
"It goes without saying that transport is the glue that holds communities together by enabling people, particularly outside big towns and cities, to socialise, get to work or school and spend their money with local businesses"
Ruth Cadbury, Chair of the Transport Committee
Who should attend?
This unique event will bring together local authorities, operators, consultancy and service providers to share best practice across the bus sector. We welcome professionals from a range of sectors involved in the following areas:
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Overcoming the particular challenges faced by rural areas and local authorities outside of major cities
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Embedding bus services in new development
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Evaluating the extent and effectiveness of policy and governance in supporting rural bus services
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Framing the urban / rural debate – rural transport can have many benefits for urban populations
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The social and economic consequences of poor connectivity
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How can innovation and alternative service models provide solutions?
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Low carbon rural tourism, leisure and the visitor economy
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New directions in rural transport, including mobility hubs and e-bikes
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Demand Responsive Transport
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Total Transport (community, health and education) solutions
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New approaches to evaluation and economic models in the rural context
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Skills, training and resource in rural authorities
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Behaviour change / modal shift in a rural context
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Improving digital connectivity to support innovative services
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Transport technology platforms, tools and services
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Taxis, coaches, car share and supporting services
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Creating safe, reliable, and inclusive integrated networks
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Fares and ticketing
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Tackling the climate emergency
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Reducing car dependency and promoting rural active travel
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Supporting the regeneration of rural towns and places
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Working examples from Europe – best and emerging practice
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New approaches to allocating limited road space
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Rural 20-minute cities
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Bus shelters and roadside infrastructure
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Information and communications
