A MORE flexible public transport service, possibly including bus services being replaced by taxis in areas such as West Devon, has been suggested by the Government's transport advisor, the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT).

The CfIT says rural bus provision has declined steadily over the past 20 years as bus operators' focus on more lucrative urban markets.

Combined with this has been a move away from local service provision — the closure of post offices, shops and garages in particular — resulting in poor access to many facilities for the 19% of the English population who live in rural areas.

CfIT recommends a pilot 'TaxiPlus' scheme, running at least at county level and over seven years.

It could offer subsidised, on-demand, door-to-door services linking to other transport modes, plus bookable services at off-peak times on core bus routes.

Dr Lynn Sloman, chair of the CfIT working group, said: 'Dispersed, small populations are hard to serve using conventional buses, and in many rural areas bus services are infrequent, stop early in the day, and don't run at all at weekends.

'Not surprisingly, people feel they can't rely on public transport and instead use private cars.

'But the evidence shows that this leads to real hardship, with low-income households forced into car ownership when they cannot really afford it. What we want to see is more flexible public transport services that can link people back into local facilities and core bus and rail networks.'

Liberal Democrat Adam Symons, the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for West Devon and Torridge, said: 'It is clear from the residents' surveys we have carried out recently, that access to services, and problems with transport are high on the list of concerns for people in rural areas, such as Lifton.

'For elderly people, ensuring that they can get to local services is a real worry. This concern has grown as we lose post offices and community shops. Many of our local communities lost regular buses.

'It is time that we re-thought our approach to access.

'I support this work, and believe that more flexible forms of transport, such as taxis, which meet people's needs, are an important step forward.

'We must think of positive ways we can increase access for people in rural areas.'