The new Buses Bill will put power over bus services back in the hands of local leaders
A package of measures to empower local leaders to take control of their bus services has been unveiled today (9 September 2024) by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh – the first stop on the journey to better buses.
Legislation is being laid before Parliament today which gives all local transport authorities across England new powers to run their own bus services – powers previously limited to mayoral combined authorities. The move means that local leaders across the country can deliver services in a way that suits the needs of their communities.
The government has also launched a consultation on new draft guidance to provide advice and support for local leaders looking to bring services into public control. This new, simplified guidance will help break down barriers to local control of bus services, speeding up the process and bringing down costs.
The guidance will also put the needs of passengers and bus drivers first – by encouraging local transport authorities to consider driver welfare and passenger safety, including anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.
The new Buses Bill, which will follow this first statutory instrument, will bring an end to the current postcode lottery by taking steps to improve bus services no matter where you live.
Buses remain the most used form of public transport across the country, but – after almost 4 decades of failed deregulation – vital services have been slashed and there is little accountability to passengers.
Since 2010, almost 300 million fewer miles have been driven by buses per year. The transformative work the government is doing will turn the tide by giving communities the opportunity to control local bus services and have a real say in building local transport networks that work for them.
Modernising our transport infrastructure and delivering better buses is at the heart of our plan to kickstart economic growth in every part of the country and get the country moving. Our plans will deliver a better service for passengers and give local authorities a choice over the bus system that works best for them without extra burdens on the taxpayer.
Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said:
Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:
Councillor Adam Hug, transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said:
Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said:
It comes as the Transport Secretary took a bus ride to Anglia Ruskin University Campus in Peterborough, where she met with the Mayor and local MP to discuss plans for local control of bus services.
These new powers mean local transport authorities will now be able to emulate the huge success of publicly controlled buses in Greater Manchester and London. Greater Manchester’s successful Bee Network has already seen passenger numbers grow by 5% since public control began to be rolled out just a year ago.
The Buses Bill will also reverse the ban on setting up new publicly owned bus companies, provide greater flexibility over bus funding and will take steps to improve bus services for communities who choose not to pursue public control.
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