By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Buses Bill contents trailed as legislation laid to expand franchising
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > News > Buses Bill contents trailed as legislation laid to expand franchising
News

Buses Bill contents trailed as legislation laid to expand franchising

Tim Deakin
Tim Deakin
Published: September 9, 2024
Share
First step towards Buses Bill in England via extension of franchising powers
SHARE

The first step on a road to reform of bus services in England outside London via what is now called the Buses Bill will occur on Monday 9 September when the government lays legislation before Parliament to give all local transport authorities (LTAs) there the power to franchise.

Previously that scope was limited to mayoral combined authorities. Also to be published is draft guidance that provides advice and support to local leaders looking to bring services back under public control. It will now be consulted on.

The Department for Transport (DfT) says that such “simplified” guidance will “help to break down barriers to local control of services, speeding up the process and bringing down costs.” It will also encourage LTAs to consider driver welfare and passenger safety, including antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls.

To follow the statutory instrument will be the Buses Bill. It has been suggested by some sources that publication will be in November. Such a bill formed part of the King’s Speech on 17 July, when it was described as the Better Buses Bill.

Giving early hints of what the Buses Bill will contain, DfT has underlined an existing position that the ban on establishing new municipal bus operators will be revoked. However, it adds that the Bill will also “deliver further changes to make bus franchising even quicker and easier to deliver, alongside other measures on areas such as funding and accessible travel.”

In what is thought to be a first recognition by the current government that not all LTAs will seek to franchise bus services, DfT adds that under the Bill, those councils will gain greater flexibility over bus funding.

Via that arrangement, local leaders will be able to deliver their own local transport priorities. The Bill will also support the creation, and saving, of vital bus routes, DfT adds.

Buses Bill contents trailed as franchising powers expand
In sharing morsels of what the Buses Bill will contain, DfT has addressed areas that may not desire franchising

Potentially key is where DfT says that its plans for bus services and greater local choice in how they are delivered will come “without any extra burdens on the taxpayer.” It remains to be seen how that sits against promises of measures relating to funding in the Bill.

Nevertheless, DfT adds that modernising transport infrastructure and better bus services “is at the heart of our plan to kickstart economic growth in every part of the country and get the country moving.” Work on buses will be “transformative,” the government promises.

Speaking about the legislation for expanded franchising powers being laid, Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh says: “Today is the first stop on our journey to delivering better buses across the country. After decades of failed deregulation, local leaders will finally have the powers to provide services that deliver for passengers.

“And we are taking steps to support local leaders to deliver improved bus services faster and cheaper than ever before. With local communities firmly back in the driving seat, our bus revolution will save vital routes up and down the country and put passengers first.”

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
ByTim Deakin
Tim is Editor of routeone and has worked in both the coach and bus and haulage industries.
Previous Article Ten Per Cent Club video highlights Britain's buses at their best Ten Per Cent Club video highlights Britain’s buses at their best
Next Article Rising fire risk: Elite’s advanced system offers crucial protection for EV charging points
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Temsa HD12 and HD13 delivered to Cresta Coaches under Asset Alliance rental deal
Temsa pair join Cresta Coaches on Asset Alliance rental agreement
Deliveries
Go-Ahead London – Managing Director
Careers Jobs
andy burnham tfgm £15.6 billion (1) The funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (4 June) has been allocated to several combined mayoral authorities to use on rail, tram, road and bus infrastructure. Transport for Greater Manchester revealed today that part of the £2.5 billion it will receive will go towards making the Bee Network fully battery-electric by 2030. An as-yet undecided portion of that will support a planned investment in 1,000 new zero-emission buses over that period, the mayoral authority said. That is part of plans to build the UK's "first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system", with trams and trains also set to benefit. Liverpool City Region's already announced BRT system is among the projects to which its £1.6 billion will be allocated. Under those plans - due for realisation by 2028 - a high-speed network will be served by articulated buses which are modelled on the 'Glider' in Belfast. It is due to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport, and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's respective stadia along three routes. Although the model of bus has not been confirmed, a Van Hool Exqui.City on loan from Belfast was last year used as a demonstrator. That 18m vehicle can accommodate around 30% more passengers than a typical bus and has three sets of double doors. The funding will also go towards buses elsewhere in the city as the region heads towards franchising services by 2027. Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram with a 'Glider' which was on loan from Belfast last year - an example of the sort of bus which could serve the new BRT Bus services in the East Midlands region will be boosted by the funding, thanks to the £2 billion handed to it today by the government. Some of that allocation will be used for a rapid transit network on the Trent Arc between Nottingham and Derby. Between the two cities, the Freeport, Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar will also benefit from the improved bus services. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's newly announced commitment towards bus franchising has been boosted by £350 million in funding as part of that region's allocation. The funding for West Yorkshire will help build new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield. Likewise, the Tees Valley Mayoral Authority will put its sum towards a new £15 million bus station in Middlesbrough. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off."
TfGM’s all-electric bus plan boosted by new £15.6 billion package
News
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Bus
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd