Annalucia Bellisario, the Bus Centre of Excellence’s Bus Policy and Engagement Officer, CIHT was in conversation with John Challen

The Bus Services (No. 2) Bill is intended to support the UK government’s commitment to deliver better buses and aims to empower local leaders in England to choose the bus operating model that works for their local area, providing powers to effectively underpin these models.

The bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 17 December 2024 and is now waiting for the report stage in the House of Commons to be scheduled. It will provide LTAs (local transport authorities) with a suite of tools to enable the delivery of better bus services for local communities, and to streamline the franchising process, making it quicker and easier for LTAs to take control of local bus networks.

The bill also introduces greater flexibility within the franchising process, meaning LTAs should be able to deliver more responsive and efficient services. 

Contained within the proposals are measures to strengthen legislation governing Enhanced Partnership (EP) agreements between LTAs and bus operators and to help the establishment of new Local Authority Bus Companies (LABCos – previously referred to as municipals). This move reverses the ban in previous legislation, making it easier for LTAs to control services and shape routes to work better for local people.

Ceasing the cancellations

To provide greater protection against service cancellation, LTAs will be required to consider the provision of socially necessary local services. These services cannot be changed or withdrawn without LTAs first reviewing their impact on community access, particularly for rural or deprived areas.

The Bus Services Bill aims to deliver a more accessible and inclusive bus network, including measures aimed at protection from anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls (e.g. mandatory training to identify and respond to threats of violence), together with greater powers for LTAs to bring forward bylaws to tackle such behaviour and improve safety on buses.

The UK government will also be providing guidance on the safety and accessibility of stopping places and will publish guidance on the supply and design of floating bus stops. The guidance under this section must be published within three months of the act receiving Royal Assent. 

Finally, it contains measures aimed at improving the transparency and availability of bus data – including routes, schedules, reliability, patronage and performance – to ensure that passengers, authorities and operators have access to accurate, timely information.

While most of the Bill’s application is limited to England, a few provisions will apply to both England and Wales such as safeguarding duties on school bus services and anti-social behaviour training for bus staff. The requirements around disability training for bus staff, the collection of bus statistics, the ability to award contracts directly to existing operators, and powers for inspectors to monitor compliance all cover England, Wales and Scotland.

The Bus Services (No. 2) Bill represents a significant step in modernising and strengthening the bus network across England, with targeted solutions extending to Wales and Scotland. By enabling greater local control and supporting improvements in areas such as safety, accessibility, and sustainability, it aims to create a more reliable, inclusive, and environmentally responsible bus system. It equips local transport authorities to shape services that better meet the needs of their communities now and in the future.

Read more: CIHT welcomes Bus Services Bill

Image: Annalucia Bellisario, Bus Centre of Excellence’s Bus Policy and Engagement Officer