The Department for Transport (DfT) has published its Bus Franchising Manual as guidance for local authorities considering that route.
The 137-page document provides advice for each stage of the process, case studies and examples of good process.
It also highlights the various potential franchising models and advice on how to realise the benefits and mitigate the risks of bus franchising.
The manual, which was commissioned by DfT and prepared by Arup, is designed to help stakeholders assess the franchising options in relation to local needs and risk appetite.
DfT says it is supplementary to its newly updated Franchising Guidance, which was published in 2017.
With the Bus Services Act 2025 having made it easier for local authorities to franchise bus services, the current statutory process is summarised: stage 1 (commit to
prepare a franchising proposal); stage 2 (develop the franchising proposal and assess it against (an)other option(s) and commission independent assurance); stage 3 (consult on the franchising proposal); stage 4 (make decision, respond to consultation, and make the franchising scheme); stage 5 (transition and implement the franchising scheme).
The manual lists the features of both the all-network and partial network franchising models, with summaries in each case relating to revenue risk, operator incentive, LTA role, cost control, network specification, fleet and depot provision, and contract management.
Greater Manchester and Jersey are given as case studies for the all-network model, while Kent Fastrack is analysed under the partial network category.
Advice on ensuring that small- and medium-sized operators are considered is provided.
The document covers the need to compare the best franchising model to the Enhanced Partnership (EP) option.
However, the approach taken is different to that of the Confederation of Passenger Transport in its bus reform handbook, published in November 2025. That publication for local transport authorities gave a wider view of the options for reform, with more reference to EP.
