Tuesday, 6 February 2024

Public transport bicycle access

David HODGETT (Croydon) (19:12): (495) My adjournment is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport, and the action I seek is the minister to allow bicycles to be taken onto rail replacement bus services. Minister, many of my constituents utilise rail services as part of their commute to work or to school. They rely on being able to take their bicycles with them so as to cycle part of their journey. However, as you would be aware, bicycles cannot be taken onto rail replacement bus services. With the increasing disruptions to rail services and more replacement bus services operating whilst the level crossing works are completed in Croydon, my constituents have been forced to find alternative travel arrangements due to them being unable to take their bicycles on rail replacement buses. More people are utilising bicycles as a healthy, affordable and sustainable way to travel or commute to work or school. The government is investing money into active transport to encourage more people to cycle and utilise public transport; therefore we need a system that supports the use of bicycles even when there are disruptions to the rail services. Indeed I noted yesterday the five brand new bike lockers for use in the parliamentary car park precinct, another example of providing facilities to encourage and support people wishing to ride to work here at Parliament. Again, the action I seek is for the minister to allow bicycles to be taken onto rail replacement bus services. Please facilitate this change so that commuters are able to use their bikes during the use of rail replacement buses.