The Yorkshire Post has published an article by politician, activist and author Paul Salveson, in which he argues that the crisis has posed huge challenges for the transport sector as a whole and for the more peripheral parts of the rail network in particular

The paper reports that passengers have disappeared and some lines serving rural areas have had services temporarily suspended with bus replacements. Salveson says that whilst the trains will come back, it could take years to return to pre-virus patronage levels. He cautions against assuming things will go ‘back to normal’ and that the Government will bail the railway industry out.

Meanwhile, Hambleton Today covers news that North Yorkshire County Council, which has faced criticism over its efforts to develop transport solutions in rural areas where commercial services are not viable, has submitted two bids for Government funding to create demand-responsive services. North Yorkshire County Council is seeking a share of £20 million to trial new on-demand services or to improve existing services in rural and suburban areas.

Full articles:

The Yorkshire Post - How local communities could run rural railway lines: Paul Salveson

Hambleton Today - Bid submitted for demand-responsive transport scheme for rural Hambleton communities