The Bus Services Bill, which was today introduced into the House
of Lords, “heralds a smoother ride” for bus services across
England, according to the Urban Transport Group, the UK's network
of transport authorities.
The Bill includes a number of measures to change how bus services
are currently run in England. These include:
- streamlining powers for Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) to
take control of their local bus services through franchising
- making the process of introducing and operating franchising
smoother and more efficient
- lifting the ban on creating new publicly owned (municipal)
bus companies
- tackling antisocial behaviour and improving safety and
accessibility on buses
The Urban Transport Group and Local Government Association's 2023
report ‘A Smoother Ride - Reviewing
the Bus Services Act 2017 to empower local areas' put
forward a number of recommendations that have been taken forward
in the new Bill.
Crucially, the Bus Services Bill builds on many of the provisions
of the Bus Services Act 2017, which, at the time, was a
pioneering piece of legislation – but only gave automatic
franchising powers to Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and led
to a number of unintended consequences as to the pace and
complexity of the franchising process, as experienced by Greater
Manchester.
Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport
Group, said: “Buses are the backbone of our
public transport system. The introduction of the Bus Services
Bill, and its intention to hand more powers to local areas, will
herald a smoother ride for the bus.
“The Bill will help ensure the bus plays an active role in
supporting and growing our local economies and connecting our
communities.”
