The Scottish Government has said it will introduce new laws aimed at improving bus services across Scotland.
Ahead of these laws being developed, and over the next six months, the Committee will take evidence on the challenges facing Scotland's bus network and the passengers who use it. This will help build a picture of improvements that can be made through new laws.
The Committee will hear from:
At the end of its work, the Committee will publish a report summarising the evidence it has received. The report will set out the key issues but it will not make recommendations about any future laws. This reflects the Committee's role in scrutinising any bus laws that may be introduced.
The Committee will consider six broad themes:
How well Scotland's existing franchising arrangements support transport authorities to improve bus services, and what lessons can be learned from experience elsewhere in the UK and abroad.
Bus franchises are arrangements where a local public authority decides how the bus network operates and contracts private companies to deliver the services on its behalf.
The opportunities and challenges involved in moving to lower-emission bus fleets, including vehicle technology, infrastructure, and investment.
The challenges of providing public transport in rural and island communities, including the role of community transport and demand-responsive services.
The impact of fares and ticketing policies on passengers and operators, including lessons from recent fare cap pilots and concessionary travel schemes.
How local authorities and transport bodies can improve bus reliability and journey times through priority measures such as bus lanes, traffic management, and other powers.
The experiences of different groups of passengers, including young people, disabled people, older people, and women, and the factors that influence whether people choose to travel by bus.
Details of evidence sessions will be published as the inquiry progresses.
The inquiry was discussed at the following Committee meetings: