Who should attend?
This unique event will bring together local authorities, operators, consultancy and service providers to share best practice across the rural 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
Delegate rates
Programme
Please note the programme is currently under development
09.00
Registration
Tea and coffee served in the exhibition area
10.00
CONFERENCE ROOM
Opening plenary
Welcome from Cheshire West and Chester Council
Leon Daniels, Chair of the Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE) Advisory Board
Stephen Fidler, Director – Local Passenger Transport & Inclusion, Department for Transport
Rose McArthur, Director - Transport, Highways, Infrastructure and Climate Change at Cheshire West and Chester Council
11.15
Morning break
Tea and coffee served in the exhibition area
11.45
CONFERENCE ROOM
Integrated services
Connecting Rural Communities: Dorset’s Core Routes & Community Transport
Izaaz Munshi, Dorset Council
Rural Connectivity: DRT, Local Links and Lessons Learnt
Pam Turton, West of England Combined Authority
Tiger on Demand: Improving Rural Connectivity in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough through Demand Responsive Transport
Andrew Highfield, Assistant Director, Public Transport Services, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority and Rachel Goodwin, Public Transport Customer Development Manager, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority
Including cabs in the rural transport mix
Paul Bakker, Director, Traintaxi Limited
A better way to provide rural services? - The Switzerland in the Peak District approach
Nigel Hutton and Thomas Ableman, Joint Leads, Mini Switzerland/Switzerland in the Peak District
ROOM A
People-first services
The role of bus in delivering Social Value in rural communities
Martin Meacham and Adam Marsden - Principal Consultants Bus, SYSTRA
From Service to Lifeline: Embedding the Passenger Voice in Rural Bus Networks
Lydia Horbury, CEO Bus Users UK
When the Bus Disappears: Measuring the Real Impact of Rural Bus Service Cuts
Daniel Saunders, Chief Product Officer, Basemap
Connected Communites: The Bus Service Standard
Silviya Barrett, Director of Policy and Research, Campaign for Better Transport
ROOM B
The evidence base for rural buses
Further details to follow
13.00
Lunch break
Refreshments served in the exhibition area
14.00
CONFERENCE ROOM
Serving the rural economy
North Wales Bus Infrastructure Enhancement Study: A marginal gains approach to bus priority in a rural context
Daniel McCool, Associate - Transport Planning, Arup & Vic Turner, Senior Project Manager, Transport for Wales
Identifying gaps in public bus service connectivity in rural Norfolk
Tom McKenna, Business Development Manager, Alchera Technologies
Low carbon rural tourism, leisure and the visitor economy - Days Out By Bus
Geoff Wade, Community Engagement Lead (Bus Network), North East Combined Authority
ROOM A
Local planning and rural buses
Embedding buses in local housing and development planning.
Session led by Nick Small, Head of Built Environment and Infrastructure, Go Ahead Group
ROOM B
Bus Franchising Pilots
In 2025 the government announced it would run Bus Franchising Pilots in five regions:
• York and North Yorkshire
• Cornwall
• Cumbria
• Hertfordshire
• Cheshire West and Chester
These pilots specifically aim to explore how local authorities could take control of bus networks in rural areas.
Panellists to be announced
15.00
Afternoon break
Tea and coffee served in the exhibition area
15.30
CONFERENCE ROOM
Closing plenary: Devolution and changes in local government
As Local government is re-organised and new Combined Authorities take over responsibility for transport plans, strategies, investment and bus operations throughout their regions, what will be the priorities for rural bus services and how will they be delivered?
Speakers to be announced...
16.30
Event close
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