We have no current plans to create further PTAs.
My hon. Friend will be aware of the success of PTAs in co-ordinating bus services and integrating transport. When she undertakes the review of bus services and the extension of local authority powers in respect of their regulation, will she look at whether the use of PTAs could be extended to non-metropolitan areas, such as the Solent area in south Hampshire?
I am always happy to consider proposals from hon. Members, but I remind the House that local authorities have very mixed views about setting up new PTAs in their areas. Although having a single body can produce great benefits in terms of co-ordination, local authorities have to surrender some existing powers. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work being done in the area represented by my hon. Friend by the Solent Transport Partnership. It has greatly improved local transport for local people, for example through the introduction of the integrated travel card. Such improvements offer a good example to the rest of the country.