16 June 2025

Better Transport Week: What can we do to improve rural transport?

Steven Morrison Cairns

Innovation Associate

Steven Morrison Cairns

Innovation Associate
  • Home
  • Blog
  • 2025
  • June
  • Better Transport Week: What can we do to improve rural transport?

Overview

Strike up a conversation with rural residents, business owners or visitors and transport comes up time and again. 

Rural areas experienced the biggest impact of cuts to rail infrastructure in the 1960s and the removal of local authority control over bus operators in the 1980s, and continue to face unique transport challenges due to their geographical and demographic characteristics. 

Rural Transport

Here are some common issues: 

Limited public transport

Rural areas typically have fewer public transport options compared to urban areas. This can make it difficult for residents to access essential services such as healthcare, education, and employment.

Long distances

The distances between destinations in rural areas are often much greater than in urban areas. This can result in longer travel times and higher transportation costs.

Poor infrastructure

Rural roads may be poorly maintained or unpaved, making travel difficult, especially during adverse weather conditions.

Lack of funding

Rural transport projects often receive less funding compared to urban projects. This can limit the development and maintenance of transport infrastructure. 

Low population density

The lower population density in rural areas means that models that deliver frequent and comprehensive public transport services in urban settings are less economically viable. 

Accessibility issues

People with disabilities or those who do not own a vehicle may face significant challenges in accessing transport services in rural areas.

What's happened to rural buses?

The mode of transport that is most frequently mentioned by government, local authorities, businesses/employers and the public, are buses. Some residents can still remember a time when rural buses were more frequent and not everyone used or owned a car.

The car has had the biggest impact on all modes of transport, and probably the bus has felt this modal shift more keenly than others.  

Bus stop in rural

Can this be changed?

Is it possible to build a sustainable, comprehensive and accessible transport infrastructure in rural areas? In my opinion, yes – and there are already positive steps being taken.  

Both national government and many combined authorities are working across all modes of transport, be it, buses, rail, community transport, car or bike share schemes to integrate multi-modal connectivity and interface with ticketing or app-based solutions. This will make the customer experience for locals and visitors alike a more enjoyable and user-friendly one.   

From my own personal experience, I'm witnessing the return of passenger trains to my community after a 60-year absence. The connectivity opportunities of the Northumberland Line are a game-changer for many in their everyday lives. Not all stations are open yet, but all will be open by early 2026.

To sum up...

Change will take time, but in the North East we can look to other combined authorities that started their journey over decade ago and see tangible progress in tackling barriers for businesses and communities and increasing usage, though of course there is still more to be done.

This Better Transport Week is a time to celebrate and share best practice throughout our rural areas. We can move around differently...

Related items

Loading...