The Bus Services Act becomes law, empowering local authorities to protect routes, expand services, and give passengers more control over bus networks across England
The UK has entered a new era for bus travel, as the Bus Services Act officially becomes law. This landmark legislation not only enables local leaders to reclaim control over bus networks but also empowers them to ensure vital routes are protected, new services can launch, and passenger needs take priority. With provisions to mandate staff training on anti-social behaviour, safeguard communities from sudden route cuts, and allow councils to run their own bus services, the Act aims to reshape public transport across England, with local leaders at the forefront of this transformation.
Vital routes cancelled, affecting England’s most vulnerable
Buses are the most popular form of public transport across England, but in 2024, around 300 million fewer miles were driven by bus services than in 2010, with passengers bearing the consequences.
This landmark move will end the risk of routes being scrapped at short notice by tightening the requirements for cancelling vital routes, which often leaves vulnerable passengers cut off and isolated from their community.
The government is committed to supporting councils in restoring socially necessary bus routes and will apply strict requirements for operators who wish to cancel or change them. The new laws will lift the ban on local authorities setting up their own bus companies, allowing them to run their own services to ensure passengers come first. This commitment is a testament to the government’s dedication to improving public transport.
The Bus Services Act includes plans to mandate staff, including drivers and those based at bus stations, to undertake training to recognise and handle incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime, including violence against women and girls.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “For too long, catching the bus has felt like an ordeal, with unreliable services and cuts to key routes meaning many communities, particularly those in rural areas, have been left isolated.
The passing of our vital Bus Services Act will finally change this. By making it easier for local leaders to take control of their buses, we are putting passengers first, improving access to jobs, education, and tourism opportunities, which are all vital to growing the economy – a fundamental part of our Plan for Change.”
Stripping back the red tape on bus services
The Bus Services Act will cut the red tape holding back bus franchising, where local authorities allow companies to operate in their areas while retaining control over key aspects such as routes and fares.
The government is already backing local authorities in York and North Yorkshire, Cornwall, Cumbria, Hertfordshire, and Cheshire West and Chester as part of the Bus Franchising Pilots, which aim to explore how local authorities could take control of their bus networks and transform rural services to work for everyone.
Corinne Pluchino, Chief Executive of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), expressed optimism, saying: “The lack of reliable, affordable public transport in rural areas is a widespread problem which impacts those in greatest need and holds back economic growth. We welcome the new measures requiring the identification and listing of socially necessary local services, and new requirements for bus operators who want to cancel or change them. This is an important first step to achieving better rural bus services, and ACRE looks forward to working with the government to ensure the Act delivers positive change for rural communities.”
Paul Nowak, General Secretary, TUC, said: “This landmark Bus Bill is great news for the hundreds of thousands of workers across the country who rely on our bus networks to get to and from work each day. The government is turning the page on the failed era of bus privatisation – and returning to a system that puts ordinary people above profits and shareholder returns. We’ve already seen the real difference that effective franchising can make in places like Manchester. It’s now vital that local leaders work in partnership with the bus workforce to make the most of the opportunities offered by the Bill.”
Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said: “The Bus Services Act represents a watershed moment for the future of the bus. We now have legislation that provides all local leaders with greater powers and the ability to choose the right tools to improve their local bus networks and passengers’ experiences – ensuring these services are accessible, safe, and attractive. We warmly welcome the Act and its recognition of the critical role that local areas play on the road to better buses.”
