Provision for bus service registrations in England and Wales to be varied or cancelled via the short-notice dispensation using uncertainty over government funding as justification should cease after 21 July, the Traffic Commissioners (TCs) have said.
Previously the TCs had accepted such a reason for utilising the short-notice mechanism. But in a statement issued on 26 May, they now observe that with clarity being forthcoming on support for bus services in the medium-term from both Westminster and the Welsh Government, that scope should be drawn to a close.
“This decision reflects the current position within the country and allows operators and local authorities an additional few weeks to consider their registration requirements before making any changes ahead of the new school year in September,” a statement from the TCs says.
However, they add that the latest position is not absolute and that applications via the short-notice mechanism citing government funding as justification may still be received beyond 21 July.
In such a case, parties submitting a short-notice change or cancellation “will have to satisfy the TC that the circumstances could not have been reasonably foreseen to allow an application to be made in the required timescales.” It is “unlikely” that such a short-notice submission will be accepted, the Commissioners caution.
They note that the approach outlined in the latest statement applies only where bus service registrations are handled by a TC. It does not capture Scotland, where recovery funding ended without replacement after 31 March.
In conclusion, the TCs underline their long-held position that they have endeavoured to work to support the bus industry since March 2020 while “balancing the needs of both operators and service users.”
TCs’ statement in full here.
