ALBUM has welcomed the passing of the Bus Services (No.2) Bill in England into law as the Bus Services Act, with the body representing SME and municipal operators underlining how those businesses have much to offer local transport authority (LTA) direction on delivery of bus services under the new regime.
The Bus Services Act is described as “a momentous piece of legislation for our industry” by ALBUM Chair and Nottingham City Transport Managing Director David Astill, who notes that the body is pleased to have played an active role in helping to shape it through consultation with the Department for Transport (DfT).
“We accept that the larger city regions may conclude that the franchised approach suits them best. Elsewhere, we hope that the Enhanced Partnership model will retain favour,” Mr Astill continues.
In September, Backhouse Jones Legal Director James Backhouse observed how changes to the Enhanced Partnership mechanism in the then-bill seek to increase flexibility and give LTAs additional tools without the need to adopt franchising, something that he believes will increase the popularity of partnership among those bodies.
Mr Astill says that ALBUM will work to influence forthcoming DfT guidance on various parts of the act “and ensure that the value and benefit that locally owned and locally managed bus companies bring to the market are recognised and embraced by LTAs.”
Municipal and SME bus operators “have much to offer” to the new regime for bus service delivery in England, particularly under a landscape where the act looks to build patronage against a backdrop of stretched public finances, he continues.
“We encourage all LTAs to make the most of the skills and expertise of SME bus operators in their area, which have been willing and able to provide quality bus services at their own commercial risk, in some cases for generations.”
