An Enhanced Partnerships (EPs) Manual for local transport authorities (LTAs) in England has been published by the Department for Transport (DfT).
The 148-page document sets out guidance for LTAs on creating, managing, varying and revoking EPs.
It sits alongside publication of the Review of Enhanced Partnerships Report and the statutory guidance for bus EPs, which were published earlier this year.
It also follows similar guidance for LTAs considering setting up bus franchising which has been published in light of the Bus Services Act in 2025.
Prepared by Arup, it draws on insights from the EP review which identified areas for potential improvement of existing set-ups.
The manual sets out a vision for what successful EPs should achieve, gives practical advice, and provides tools and templates to streamline processes.
DfT says it is aimed at helping LTAs understand the expectations set out in the EP guidance, identify practical steps to meet those expectations, learn from the experiences of previous examples, and apply continuous improvement, accountability, and transparency.
The documentation outlines the minimum standards required of LTAs, including maintaining baseline funding, promoting concessionary travel, re-investment of savings from bus priority measures, operators providing information on all services in their area, multi-operator ticketing, and a bus passenger charter.
Among several case studies provided are the EPs managed by Norfolk County Council; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; Leicester Buses and Transport for Cornwall.
The document devotes 22 pages to socially necessary local services (SNLS), including the methodology for identifying these, and examples of the SNLS measure in action.
