The Bus Services Bill became the Bus Services Act 2017, late yesterday afternoon (27 April).
It was one of the final actions of the legislative chamber, before parliament was dissolved.
The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has confirmed its on-going support for the new partnership measures that will see operators able to continue to operate in a commercial market thereby providing the best possible service to passengers.
Chief Executive Simon Posner said: “Passengers and taxpayers outside London are well served by the commercial market.
“It has stemmed the decline in patronage and given bus operators the flexibility to respond to passenger needs and aspirations.
“The Act offers exciting opportunities for operators and local authorities to take decisive steps that make buses the obvious way to get around.
“The industry remains concerned about the powers for local authorities, in certain circumstances, to introduce local bus franchising but we welcome the very robust and transparent assessment process specified by the Act.
“Measures concerning open data and accessible passenger information are also welcome.
“Operators were already providing much of this information but enshrining it in legislation ensures that all passengers are able to obtain details of services easily and in a format tailored to their particular needs.”
CPT and the industry will continue to work “constructively and collaboratively with all stakeholders” during the coming months as the Act is brought into force via secondary legislation.
