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Challenge Schemes

Volume 456: debated on Wednesday 7 February 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether school transport proposals are eligible for funding awards under the Challenge Schemes. (111497)

I assume the question has in mind the Department’s Rural (RBC) and Urban Bus Challenge (UBC) competitions.

RBC and UBC competitions were held between 1998 and 2003 and provided funding for innovative ideas for improving local transport and addressing social exclusion in rural and urban areas. The criteria for these competitions allowed for a wide range of schemes to compete for funding, including bids aimed at improving transport to schools. The projects supported brought enhancements to rural and urban bus services improving the links of the communities served to essential services and facilities. In a number of cases, improved links to educational facilities were specifically identified as among the benefits secured.