Better Connected: what the new national transport strategy says about community transport in England

By Caroline Whitney, Director for England

In April 2026, the Department for Transport published Better Connected, its long-term strategy for transport in England. It sits above the new Local Transport Plan guidance and is the document everything else in local transport is now meant to flow from. The good news for us is that community transport is named directly, in places that count. 

Community transport is recognised at national level 

Better Connected is built on three principles, People, Place and Partnership. Under Partnership, the strategy recognises the vital role of the third sector, including community transport solutions. In the chapter on accessible and affordable travel, it goes further and says that an inclusive network must include community transport operators, and that local authorities are expected to engage with us and integrate our services into the wider transport network, prioritised especially for those who rely on accessible transport. Community transport also features in the spotlights on suburban and rural areas, and a full case study on community transport in South Yorkshire is included. “Must include” and “prioritised” are not words we often see used about our sector at this level. 

Where the opportunities are 

The strategy commits to a new Accessible Travel Charter, developed through genuine co-production with disabled people. It asks local transport authorities to work with Directors of Public Health and Integrated Care Systems on healthier communities. And it commits to scaling up shared mobility, including demand responsive transport, with new best practice guidance. We have decades of experience in all three areas, and we should be at the table as these commitments are put into practice. 

The strategy also gives local leaders more power, flexibility and longer-term funding, including nearly £700 million a year through the Local Authority Bus Grant. Where local relationships are strong, community transport could see real benefit. Where they are weak, the money could pass us by. 

What to do: 

Build the relationship with your local transport authority and your mayoral strategic authority now. Use Better Connected and the new LTP guidance to make the case for community transport being part of how the funding is spent. 

What it does not do:

Better Connected is a strategy, not a law. It sets direction but does not on its own change duties, funding rules or how our sector is regulated. The detail will come through the LTP guidance, the Bus Services Act 2025 and the upcoming Accessible Travel Charter. It does not create new ring-fenced funding for community transport, and it does not specifically address fleet renewal, decarbonisation costs or the long-term funding of voluntary services. What it does do is give us clear national recognition that community transport is part of an inclusive network, and that local authorities are expected to engage with us. That is a strong platform to build from. 

What we are doing:

The CTA is continuing to engage with the Department for Transport, mayoral strategic authorities and local transport authorities to make sure community transport is recognised in how Better Connected is put into practice. Read the full strategy here.  

If you want to talk to us about how to engage with your local authority, please get in touch at england@ctauk.org