Transport User Voice February 2026 – Rural bus integration

27 January 2026

‘Mini Switzerland’

Earlier this month, Hope Valley Climate Action, supported by transport experts including Thomas Ableman, published the ‘Mini Switzerland’ report. It sets out the plan for the UK’s first real‑world demonstrator for a fully integrated rural transport system.

The report details a plan to deliver a step change in bus and train travel in the Hope Valley area of the Peak District National Park, creating an integrated passenger transport network demonstrator that will benefit residents and visitors alike.

Transport Focus are supportive of these plans which hope to unlock more values from existing networks and help public transport become a more attractive choice for everyday journeys.

Alex Robertson, Chief Executive of Transport Focus: 

“Passengers consistently tell us they want public transport that is reliable, easy to understand and good value for money. The principles behind Mini Switzerland – clear timetables, joined-up connections and simple tickets – are exactly the kinds of improvements that can make a real difference to people’s experience. Demonstrating how this can work in a rural area would be an important step forward.”

Louse Collins, Director at Transport Focus: 

“Regular services, proper integration with rail, simple and consistent tickets… these are exactly the things passengers have been asking for. The national demonstrator concept is a smart move. Proving what’s possible in one place could create the momentum needed to drive real change across the country.    Rural bus services clearly need a new approach. What we have now isn’t working, and the challenge too often gets written off as “too difficult to solve.” This won’t be easy, and it’s not a silver bullet that will magically fix every bus service everywhere — but it has real substance behind it. I’d love to see it given a proper chance.”

You can read the report in full here.

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