The purpose of this Act is to improve the performance, accessibility and
quality of bus passenger services in Great Britain.
A
bill
to
Make provision about local and school bus services; and for connected purposes.
B e it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
The purpose of this Act is to improve the performance, accessibility and
quality of bus passenger services in Great Britain.
The Secretary of State must, in taking any actions under the provisions of
this Act, have regard to this purpose.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
“(4)
In this Part “franchising authority” means a local transport authority
whose area is in England.”
In
section 123C
(Secretary of State consent to franchising and notice
requirements)—
omit subsections (1) to (3) ;
in
subsection (4)
, for “the authority” substitute “a franchising
authority”;
for the heading substitute “Notice of assessment”.
In section 143A (power of franchising authorities to obtain information) omit subsection (5) .
In section 160 (2) and (2A) (regulations and orders) omit “123A(4),”.
In
section 123H
of the
Transport Act 2000
(making and publication of scheme),
after
subsection (2)
insert— Where a scheme specifies more than one area under subsection (2)(a),
“(2A)
the areas specified need not be contiguous.”
In
section 123H
of the
Transport Act 2000
(making and publication of scheme), Local services may be specified for the purposes of subsection (2)(b)— by reference to the routes or places intended to be served, by describing the intended services in general terms, in such other way as the authority or authorities think fit so
after
subsection (2A)
(inserted by
section 3
of this Act) insert—
“(2B)
(a)
(b)
(d)
as to enable the intended services to be identified.”
Subsection (3) applies where, before this section comes into force—
a franchising authority or authorities has published a consultation
document under
section 123E
(2)
of the
Transport Act 2000
relating to
a proposed franchising scheme, but
the scheme has not been made in pursuance of the consultation
document.
Where
this subsection
applies the franchising authority or authorities may,
when making the scheme in pursuance of the consultation document, specify
local services in any way mentioned in
section 123H
(2B)
of the
Transport Act
2000
(inserted by
subsection (1)
of this section), whether or not the services
so specified were included in the description contained in the consultation
document as required by
section 123F
(1)
(c)
of
that Act
.
Part 3
of
Schedule 9A
to the
Transport Act 2000
(inserted by the Schedule to
this Act) does not apply in relation to a variation of an existing franchising
scheme if—
the only variation is of the local services specified under
section
123H
(2)
(b)
of
that Act
in relation to the scheme, and
the variation is to have effect before the end of the period of 2 years
beginning with the day on which
this section
comes into force.
An “existing franchising scheme” is a franchising scheme made before
this
section
comes into force.
In
section 123H
of the
Transport Act 2000
(making and publication of scheme)
omit
subsection (4)
.
Subsection (3) applies where, before this section comes into force—
a franchising authority or authorities has published a consultation
document under
section 123E
(2)
of the
Transport Act 2000
relating to
a proposed franchising scheme or a variation of such a scheme, but
the scheme has not been made or varied in pursuance of the
consultation document.
Where
this subsection
applies the franchising authority or authorities may,
when making or varying the scheme in pursuance of the consultation
document, specify a minimum period under
section 123H
(2)
(d)
or
(3)
(c)
which
is less than six months.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
In
section 123E
(4)
(a)
(consultation)
, after “local services” insert “which have
one or more stopping places”.
In
section 123N
(2)
(a)
(revocation), after “local services” insert “which have
one or more stopping places”.
In
section 123Q
(5)
(a)
(application for service permit), after “local services”
insert “which have one or more stopping places”.
In
section 123R
(5)
(a)
(conditions), after “local services” insert “which have
one or more stopping places”.
Section 123Q
of the
Transport Act 2000
(application for service permit) is
amended in accordance with
subsections (2)
to
(4)
.
“(5A)
If the application is for a service permit for a cross-boundary service,
the authority or authorities may grant the permit applied for if they are satisfied that—(a)
the benefits to persons making journeys on the proposed service
will outweigh any adverse effect on any local service that is provided under a local service contract in the area to which the scheme relates, or(b)
the benefits of the proposed service to the economy of the
relevant area, or to persons living in that area, will outweigh any such adverse effect.(5B)
If the application is for a service permit for a service that is not a
cross-boundary service, the authority or authorities may grant the permit applied for if they are satisfied that the benefits of the proposed service to the economy of the area to which the scheme relates, or to persons living in that area, will outweigh any adverse effect on any local service that is provided under a local service contract in that area.”
In
subsection (6)
, for “if they are not satisfied as to the matters in subsection
(5)(a) and (b)” substitute “except under subsection (5),
(5A)
or
(5B)
”.
“(8)
In this section—
“
cross-boundary service”, in relation to a franchising scheme,
means a service that—(a)
has one or more stopping places in the area to which
the scheme relates, but(b)
begins or ends, or begins and ends, outside that area;
“
relevant area”, in relation to a cross-boundary service, means
the combined area of each—(a)
local transport authority,
(b)
council in Scotland, and
(c)
Transport Partnership created under the Transport
(Scotland) Act 2005 ,in which the service has a stopping place.”
In section 123S (2) of that Act (revocation and suspension)—
in
paragraph (a)
, for “that a matter in section 123Q(5)(a) or (b)”
substitute “if the permit was granted under subsection (5) of section
123Q, that a matter in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection”;
“(aa)
if the permit was granted under subsection (5A) or (5B) of that section, that the authority or authorities are no longer satisfied as mentioned in the subsection in question,”.
The amendments made by
this section
apply only in relation to applications
for a service permit made on or after the date on which
this section
comes
into force.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
In
section 123J
(effect of local service contracts: registration and provision of Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to a local service which is
services), after
subsection (4)
insert—
“(4A)
provided under a service permit.”
“(3)
The authority or authorities must inform a traffic commissioner of the
grant of a service permit under this section.”
“123PA Registration exemption for services provided under service permits
(1)
The franchising authority operating a franchising scheme, or the
franchising authorities operating such a scheme acting jointly, may grant an exemption from registration in respect of any local service which is, or class of local services which are, provided under a service permit in the area to which the scheme relates.(2)
Where such an exemption has effect, sections 6 to 9 of the Transport
Act 1985 (registration of local services) do not have effect in relation
to the service, or class of services, so far as operated in that area.(3)
The franchising authority or authorities may vary or revoke an
exemption granted by them under this section.(4)
Where an exemption is granted, varied or revoked under this section,
the franchising authority or authorities must—(a)
publish, in such manner as they think fit, details of the grant,
variation or revocation of the exemption, and(b)
before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day
on which the exemption is granted, varied or revoked, inform a traffic commissioner of the grant, variation or revocation of the exemption.”
“(2A)
The franchising authority or authorities must inform a traffic
commissioner of the revocation or suspension of a service permit under this section.”
In
section 123V
(1)
(transitional provision about schemes), after
paragraph (b)
insert— the application of section 123PA in relation to services or classes
“(ba)
of services (registration exemption for services provided under
service permits),”.
Section 123J
of the
Transport Act 2000
(effect of local service contracts:
registration requirements and provision of services) is amended as follows.
In subsection (5) —
omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (a) ;
(c)
a service falling within subsection (8).”
“(8)
A service falls within this subsection if it is a local service provided
under an agreement entered into, where a service for the carriage of passengers by railway or tramway has been temporarily interrupted—(a)
under section 40 of the Railways Act 2005 (substitute road
services), or(b)
with the person who usually provides the railway or tramway
service.”
Section 123D of the Transport Act 2000 (audit) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (8) .
“(1)
A franchising authority, or two or more franchising authorities acting
jointly, may not proceed with a proposed franchising scheme unless they have obtained a report from an independent approved person on the assessment of the proposed scheme (see section 123B).”
In subsection (2) —
omit “auditor’s”;
for “auditor” substitute “approved person”;
in paragraph (a), for “123B(3)(d) or (e)” substitute “123B(3)(d) and (e)”.
“(3)
The Secretary of State must issue guidance as to—
(a)
the time at which it is appropriate to appoint an approved
person to produce a report for the purposes of subsection (1) , and(b)
the matters to be taken into account by a franchising authority
when selecting such a person, including for the purposes of determining whether a person is independent.”
In subsection (5) , for “auditor” substitute “approved person”.
In subsection (6) , for “Auditors” substitute “Approved persons”.
“(8)
In this section “approved person” means a person specified, or of a
description specified, in regulations made by the Secretary of State.”
For the heading substitute “Report on assessment of proposed scheme”.
In section 123E of that Act (consultation)—
in subsection (1) , for “an auditor’s” substitute “a”;
in subsection (2) (c) omit “auditor’s”.
The amendments made by this section do not apply in relation to an
appointment of a person as an auditor, in relation to a proposed franchising
scheme, before this section comes into force.
In section 123E(4) of the Transport Act 2000 (consultation), after paragraph
(d) insert— such persons with disabilities (within the meaning given by
“(da)
section 6 of the Equality Act 2010) who are users or prospective
users of local services, or such organisations appearing to the
authority or authorities to be representative of such persons,
as they think fit;”.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
In section 123M (variation of scheme)—
in subsection (3) , after “date” insert “or dates”;
omit subsection (4) ;
in subsection (7) , for “to (6)” substitute “to (6A) and Schedule 9A”;
omit subsections (8) and (9) .
“123MA Variation of scheme: supplementary
(1)
Subsections (2) to (10) of section 123H apply in relation to a franchising
scheme varied in accordance with section 123M as they apply in relation to a franchising scheme made in accordance with subsection (1) of section 123H, but subject to subsection (2) of this section.(2)
Where the variation of the scheme adds to the scheme area the scheme
must specify, in addition to the information previously specified under section 123H(2)(c) and (d), the date and minimum period to be specified in relation to local service contracts relating to local services to be provided in the additional area.(3)
In Schedule 9A —
(a)
(b)
Part 3 contains provision about the procedure to be followed
when making certain other variations of the scheme.(4)
For the purposes of this section and Schedule 9A —
(a)
a variation of a franchising scheme “adds to the scheme area”
if it involves adding an area to the area specified under section 123H(2)(a) in relation to the scheme, and(b)
“the additional area” is the area added.”
The Schedule inserts new Schedule 9A into the Transport Act 2000.
The
Public Service Obligations in Transport Regulations 2023
(S.I. 2023/1369)
are amended as follows.
“Direct award of bus contracts to incumbent operators 16A.
(1)
A franchising authority, or two or more franchising authorities
acting jointly, may make a direct award of a public service contract where—(a)
the contract is a local service contract in relation to a franchising
scheme,(b)
no local services provided in the area to which the contract relates
are provided under a local service contract, and(c)
the award is made to a public service operator who, throughout the
period of three months ending with the day on which the contract is entered into, is providing local services which are the same as, or substantially similar to, the local services to which the contract relates.(2)
Where a franchising authority makes a direct award of a public service
contract under this regulation, it must, within six months of granting the award, and while ensuring the protection of commercially sensitive information and commercial interests, publish a notice on its website which—(a)
sets out the information specified in paragraph (3) , or
(b)
where any of the information in paragraph (3) has already been
published (whether under regulation 23 or otherwise), provides details of where that information can be accessed,and, where the award is made by two or more franchising authorities acting jointly, the notice must be published on each authority’s website.
(3)
The information referred to in paragraph (2) is—
(a)
the name of the public service operator, its ownership and, if relevant,
the name of the party or parties exercising legal control,(b)
the duration of the public service contract,
(c)
a description of the passenger transport services to be performed,
(d)
a description of the parameters of the financial compensation,
(e)
information about any quality targets, such as punctuality and
reliability and any applicable rewards and penalties, and(f)
information about any targets or requirements intended to protect
the environment or to ensure local services are accessible and inclusive.(4)
In this regulation, each of the following terms has the same meaning as
in Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000 —“
franchising authority”;“
franchising scheme”;“
local service”;“
local service contract”.”
In regulation 9 (duration of public service contracts)—
in
paragraph (1)
(c)
, after “under” insert “regulation 16A (direct award
of bus contracts to incumbent operators) or”;
in
paragraph (4)
, after “measures)” insert “, regulation 16A (direct
award of bus contracts to incumbent operators)”.
In
regulation 22
(3)
(b)
(pre-award publication), at the end insert “or regulation
16A (direct award of bus contracts to incumbent operators)”.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3) .
In section 138A (enhanced partnership plans and schemes)—
“(ba)
lists which of those local services the authority or
authorities consider are socially necessary local services,”;
“(4A)
A review under subsection (4) is not to include a review of the
list of socially necessary local services required by subsection (3) (ba) ; but the authority or authorities must keep that list under review and amend it from time to time as appears to them to be necessary.”;
“(15)
In this section and section 138C “socially necessary local
service”, in relation to the area to which an enhanced partnership plan relates, means a local service which—(a)
enables passengers to access—
(i)
essential goods and services,
(ii)
economic opportunities (including employment),
or(iii)
social activities, and
(b)
if cancelled, is likely to have a material adverse effect
on the ability of passengers to access those goods, services, opportunities or activities.”
“(9A)
An enhanced partnership scheme must—
(a)
specify requirements that apply where the operator of a socially
necessary local service listed as required by section 138A(3) (ba) proposes—(i)
to cancel a registration under section 6 of the Transport
Act 1985 in relation to the service, or(b)
require a local transport authority or authorities, having been
notified of a proposed cancellation or a proposed variation which is likely to have such an effect, to consider whether any alternative arrangements may be made so as to mitigate that effect.”.
The local transport authority or authorities to whose area or combined area,
or part of it, an enhanced partnership relates on the day on which
this section
comes into force (“the commencement day”) must, before the end of the period
of one year beginning with that day—
vary the plan in accordance with
subsection (3)
of
section 138K
of the
Transport Act 2000
so that it identifies which of the services provided
in the area are socially necessary local services, and
vary, in accordance with
that subsection
, each enhanced partnership
scheme which, on the commencement day, relates to the whole or part
of the area to which the plan relates so that section 138C
(9A)
of that
Act is satisfied in relation to the scheme.
The Secretary of State must conduct an assessment of the impact of ending
the £2 bus fare cap on passengers’ ability to access socially necessary local
services identified in accordance with section 138A of the Transport Act 2000.
The Secretary of State must undertake an assessment of the impact of the
level of employers’ National Insurance contributions on the provision of
socially necessary bus services, including transport services for children with
special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and lay it before both
Houses of Parliament within 3 months of the day on which this Act is passed.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
In
section 138A
(6)
(b)
(contents of schemes), for the words from “routes in”
to “local services” substitute “local services in the whole or part of that area”.
In
section 138D
(2)
(a)
(measures specified in scheme), omit “serving the routes”
(in both places).
In
section 138C
of the
Transport Act 2000
(requirements in respect of local
services), for
subsection (9)
substitute— The requirements that may be specified in an enhanced partnership as to operators of local services establishing and operating that persons using local services in the area to which the the Secretary of State, a local transport authority, or any other person exercising functions of a public
“(9)
scheme also include requirements—
(a)
arrangements that facilitate the operation of the scheme;
(b)
scheme relates benefit from any reduction in the cost of
operating those services that results from facilities provided or
measures taken by—
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
nature.”
After
section 138K
of the
Transport Act 2000
insert— A variation of an enhanced partnership scheme may not be made the Secretary of State has directed the authority or authorities the variation is one that the authority or authorities are required This subsection applies to any case specified in the scheme as one in The Secretary of State may give a direction under this section only if, the variation cannot be made in accordance with the scheme persons using local services in the area to which the scheme A direction under this section does not affect the application of the
“138KA
Variation where scheme includes provision under section 138E
(1)
under section 138K in a case to which subsection (2) of this section
applies unless—
(a)
concerned to make the variation, or
(b)
to make by
section 14
(4)
(b)
of the Bus Services (No. 2) Act 2025.
(2)
which the scheme may be varied in accordance with the scheme (see
section 138E).
(3)
on an application made by the authority or authorities, the Secretary
of State is satisfied that—
(a)
because of unreasonable or obstructive behaviour by one or
more operators of local services, or
(b)
as varied will relate will benefit from the variation of the
scheme.
(4)
other requirements that must be met before the scheme can be varied
under section 138K.”
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
“138CA Requirements enabling travel by persons with disabilities
(1)
An enhanced partnership scheme may specify under section 138A(5)(b)
requirements about enabling persons with disabilities to travel on local services independently, and in safety and reasonable comfort.(2)
The requirements may include requirements about securing alternative
means for the carriage of a person with a disability where—(a)
the person cannot travel on a public service vehicle being used
to provide a local service because the vehicle’s wheelchair space is occupied and cannot be vacated readily, and(b)
it is possible for the person, together with any wheelchair,
mobility aid or assistance dog which the person has with them, to be carried in safety and reasonable comfort to the person’s intended destination by a taxi or private hire vehicle.(3)
Before making an enhanced partnership scheme, a local transport
authority must consider whether the requirements proposed to be specified in the scheme will enable persons with disabilities to travel independently, and in safety and reasonable comfort, on local services that have one or more stopping places in the area to which the scheme relates.(4)
In this section—
“
assistance dog” has the meaning given by section 173(1) of the
Equality Act 2010;“
mobility aid” has the meaning given by section 164A(6) of that
Act;“
persons with disabilities” means persons who have a disability
within the meaning given by section 6 of that Act.”
“(ba)
such persons with disabilities (within the meaning given
by section 6 of the Equality Act 2010) who are users or prospective users of local services, or such organisations appearing to the authority or authorities to be representative of such persons, as they think fit;”
“(9)
Before varying an enhanced partnership scheme, a local transport
authority must consider whether the requirements proposed to be specified in the scheme as varied will enable persons with disabilities to travel independently, and in safety and reasonable comfort, on local services that have one or more stopping places in the area to which the scheme as proposed to be varied relates.(10)
In this section, “persons with disabilities” means persons who have a
disability within the meaning given by section 6 of the Equality Act 2010.”
In section 138A(5)(b) (requirements which may be specified in enhanced
partnership schemes), for “section 138C” substitute “sections 138C and
138CA
”.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (6) .
In section 138F (preparation, notice and consultation)—
“(c)
require any objections to be made before the end of the
period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the notice is given (“the objection period”).”;
“(4A)
A local transport authority or authorities may give notice of a
proposal under subsection (1)(d) before the end of the objection period if every person to whom the notice under subsection (1)(c) is required to be given has confirmed in writing that they do not intend to object.”;
in
subsection (5)
, for “period for objections stated in the notice under
subsection (1)(c)” substitute “objection period”.
In section 138G (making of plans and schemes)—
“(c)
require any objections to be made before the end of the
period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the notice is given (“the objection period”).”;
“(3A)
The authority or authorities may make the plan and scheme
with modifications before the end of the objection period if every person to whom the notice under subsection (2) is required to be given has confirmed in writing that they do not intend to object.”;
in
subsection (4)
, for “period for objections stated in the notice under
subsection (2)” substitute “objection period”.
In section 138L (variation: preparation, notice and consultation)—
“(c)
require any objections to be made before the end of the
period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the notice is given (“the objection period”).”;
“(4A)
A local transport authority or authorities may give notice of a
proposal under subsection (1)(d) before the end of the objection period if every person to whom the notice under subsection (1)(c) is required to be given has confirmed in writing that they do not intend to object.”;
in
subsection (5)
, for “period for objections given in the notice under
subsection (1)(c)” substitute “objection period”.
In section 138M (making a variation)—
“(d)
require any objections by persons who are operators of
qualifying local services at the qualifying time to be made before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the notice is given (“the objection period”).”;
“(4A)
The authority or authorities may vary the plan or scheme (with
or without modifications) before the end of the objection period if every person to whom the notice under subsection (3) is required to be given has confirmed in writing that they do not intend to object.”;
omit subsection (8) (c) .
In section 138O (revocation)—
omit subsection (7) (a) ;
“(d)
require any objections to the revocation by persons who
are operators of qualifying local services at the qualifying time to be made before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the notice is given (“the objection period”).”;
“(7A)
The notice under subsection (6) may state the date on which
the plan or scheme is to be revoked.(7B)
The authority or authorities may revoke the plan or scheme
before the end of the objection period if every person to whom the notice under subsection (6) is required to be given has confirmed in writing that they do not intend to object.”;
omit subsection (11) (c) .
In the Enhanced Partnership Plans and Schemes (Objections) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/404) omit regulations 7 (2) and 8 (2) .
In
section 143B
of the
Transport Act 2000
(power to obtain information about
local services), after
subsection (4)
insert— A local transport authority or authorities may not require an operator of their intention to impose the requirement, and of the date on which they intend to do so and the period that When imposing the requirement the authority or authorities must
“(4A)
to supply information under this section unless, at least 14 days before
imposing the requirement, they have given notice to the operator—
(a)
(b)
they intend to allow for the provision of the information.
(4B)
have regard to any representations made by the operator in response
to the notice under
subsection (4A)
.”
In the Transport Act 2000, after section 113B insert— A local transport authority whose area is in England must, before the A bus network accessibility plan must— identify what (if any) provision is made to assist persons with set out the extent to which, in the authority’s opinion, the describe what (if any) further action the authority intends to The authority must review the plan— if there is a substantial change to the provision of local services in any event, at least once every three years. The authority must alter the plan— following any review carried out as required by
subsection if the authority considers it appropriate to do so for any other The authority may replace the plan as they think fit. In preparing and reviewing a bus network accessibility plan, a local persons operating local services in the authority’s area, such persons with disabilities who are users or prospective any other persons whom the authority considers it appropriate In this section “persons with disabilities” means persons who have a
“Bus network accessibility plans: England
113BA
Bus network accessibility plans
(1)
end of the period of one year beginning with the day on which this
section comes into force, publish a bus network accessibility plan in
relation to the authority’s area.
(2)
(a)
disabilities to travel on local services that have one or more
stopping places in the authority’s area;
(b)
provision made in the authority’s area enables persons with
disabilities to travel on such local services independently, and
in safety and reasonable comfort;
(c)
take to enable persons with disabilities to travel on such local
services independently, and in safety and reasonable comfort.
(3)
(a)
in the authority’s area, and
(b)
(4)
(a)
(3)
(a)
, or
(b)
reason.
(5)
(6)
transport authority must consult—
(a)
(b)
users of local services, or such organisations appearing to the
authority to represent such persons, as they think fit, and
(c)
to consult.
(7)
disability within the meaning given by section 6 of the Equality Act
2010.”
In the
Bus Services Act 2017
omit section 22 (restriction on formation of bus
companies by local government in England).
A director of a local government bus company who is—
paid for acting in that capacity, or
an employee of the company or a subsidiary of the company,
is disqualified for being elected or being a member of a relevant authority if the company is under the control of the authority.
For the purposes of
subsection (2)
, a company is under the control of a relevant
authority if—
the company is a subsidiary of the authority, or
the authority is one of two or more relevant authorities that are
members of the company and the company would be a subsidiary of
those authorities if they were a single body corporate.
Subsections (1)
to
(3)
apply in relation to a director of a subsidiary of a local
government bus company as they apply in relation to a director of such a
company.
In subsections (2) to (4) —
“
local government bus company” means a company formed by a relevant
authority or authorities for the purpose of providing a local service;
“
local service” has the same meaning as in the
Transport Act 1985
(see
section 2 of that Act);
“
relevant authority” means—
a county council in England,
a district council in England,
a combined authority established under
section 103
of the
Local
Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009
,
a combined county authority established under
section 9
(1)
of
the
Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
, or
an Integrated Transport Authority for an integrated transport
area in England;
“
subsidiary” has the same meaning as in the
Companies Act 2006
(see
section 1159 of that Act).
In the Transport Act 1985 —
in
section 66
(exclusion of powers of district councils to run bus
undertakings)—
in subsection (1) , for “subsection” substitute “subsections (1A) and”;
“(1A)
Subsection (1) does not prevent a non-metropolitan
district council in England from forming a company for the purpose of providing a local service.”
in section 73 (control over constitution and activities of public transport
companies)—
“(c)
in relation to the provision of local services by
a public transport company or any other activity of the company relating to such services.”
“(5A)
Subsection (3)(b) does not apply in relation to
borrowing money for the purposes of, or in connection with, the provision of local services by a public transport company to which subsection
(5B) applies.(5B)
This subsection applies to a public transport
company the controlling authority of which is—(a)
an authority the functions of which are
exercisable in relation to an area in England, or(b)
two or more authorities the functions of
which are exercisable in relation to areas in England.”
In
section 123O
(3)
of the
Transport Act 2000
omit the words from “apart” to
the end.
In
Schedule 4
to the
Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
omit paragraph
212.
In the
Transport Act 2000
, after
section 154
insert— A local transport authority whose area is in England may make grants The services are— local services which have one or more stopping places in the services which have one or more stopping places in the Grants under this section are to be of such amount and subject to such If a local transport authority is a mayoral combined authority, the If a local transport authority is a mayoral CCA, the function under The Secretary of State may issue guidance as to the exercise of The guidance may, in particular, include guidance— about the protection of services mentioned in subsection
(2)
that are socially necessary,
about how the services mentioned in
that subsection
can setting out practical considerations to be taken into account The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance issued The Secretary of State must publish— guidance issued under
subsection (6)
, and any variation or revocation of the guidance.
Section 88
(1)
of the
Transport Act 1985
(application to subsidy
“154A
Grants by local transport authorities in England
(1)
to operators of the services mentioned in subsection
(2)
towards their
costs in operating those services in that area.
(2)
(a)
authority’s area, and
(b)
authority’s area and would be local services but for
section
2
(4)
(b)
of the
Transport Act 1985
.
(3)
conditions (including conditions requiring their repayment in specified
circumstances) as may be determined by the authority.
(4)
function under subsection
(1)
is a function of the combined authority
exercisable only by the mayor acting on behalf of the combined
authority.
(5)
subsection
(1)
is a function of the combined county authority
exercisable only by the mayor acting on behalf of the combined county
authority.
(6)
functions under this section by local transport authorities and mayors;
and they must have regard to any such guidance.
(7)
(a)
(b)
contribute to economic growth and the protection of the
environment, and
(c)
when exercising functions under this section.
(8)
under
subsection (6)
.
(9)
(a)
(b)
(10)
agreements of sections 89 to 92 of that Act) does not apply in relation
to grants under this section.”
The Transport Act 1985 is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3) .
In section 6 (registration of local services)—
in subsection (9) —
“(da)
in the case of regulations made by the Secretary
of State, for the prescribed particulars in respect of a service to be given to such persons as may be prescribed;(e)
in the case of regulations made by the Secretary
of State, for an application for registration, or for the variation or cancellation of a registration, not to be accepted by a traffic commissioner unless—(i)
the applicant gives, to such persons as
may be prescribed, such information as a traffic commissioner may reasonably require in connection with the application, or(ii)
the applicant is subject to requirements
imposed by regulations made by virtue of section 141A (1) (a) of the Transport Act
2000 and complies with those
requirements ;(ea)
in the case of regulations made by the Welsh
Ministers, for an application for registration, or for the variation or cancellation of a registration, not to be accepted by a traffic commissioner unless the applicant gives to a traffic commissioner such information as a traffic commissioner may reasonably require in connection with the application.”;
(i)
in the case of regulations made by the Secretary
of State, to such persons as may be prescribed;(ii)
in the case of regulations made by the Welsh
Ministers, to a traffic commissioner”;
“(kb)
in the case of regulations made by the Secretary
of State, as to the use and disclosure of information given or records made available under this section;”;
“(12)
Regulations made by the Secretary of State under this section
may make provision about the manner and form in which information is to be provided (including, in particular, provision requiring it to be provided electronically).(13)
Where regulations under this section impose a duty or confer
a power to process personal data, the duty or power does not operate to require or authorise the data to be processed in a way which contravenes the data protection legislation (but the duty or power is to be taken into account in determining whether the processing contravenes that legislation).(14)
In this section “the data protection legislation”, “personal data”
and “processing” have the same meanings as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act), and “process” and “processed” are to be construed accordingly.”
In section 6I (records of registration etc)—
in
subsection (4)
, for “a traffic commissioner” substitute “such persons
as may be prescribed”;
“(b)
as to the particulars to be supplied under subsection
(4);(c)
about the manner and form in which the particulars
are to be supplied under that subsection (including, in particular, provision requiring them to be supplied electronically);(d)
as to the use and disclosure of records kept and
particulars supplied under this section.”
“(7A)
Where the regulations impose a duty or confer a power to
process personal data, the duty or power does not operate to require or authorise the data to be processed in a way which contravenes the data protection legislation (but the duty or power is to be taken into account in determining whether the processing contravenes that legislation).”;
““
the data protection legislation”, “personal data” and “processing”
have the same meanings as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act), and “process” and “processed” are to be construed accordingly;”
Information received by a traffic commissioner under
section 6
or
6I
of the
Transport Act 1985
before
this section
comes into force may be provided by
the traffic commissioner to the Secretary of State (in which case the information
is provided without restrictions on its disclosure or use).
Subsection
(4)
does not authorise the disclosure or use of information in
contravention of the data protection legislation (but that subsection is to be
taken into account in determining whether the disclosure or use does
contravene that legislation).
In
this section
“the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in
the
Data Protection Act 2018
(see section 3 of that Act).
Section 141A
of the
Transport Act 2000
(power to require information about
English bus services) is amended as follows.
In subsection (2) —
at the end of paragraph (a) omit “or”;
(c)
in order to monitor the provision of relevant local
services and to facilitate the exercise of functions by the Secretary of State.”
In subsection (3) —
in
paragraph (a)
, for “and tickets” substitute “, tickets and passenger
numbers”;
at the end of paragraph (b) omit “and”;
“(d)
information about operators of the services,
(e)
information about the vehicles used to provide the
services, including information about their features and equipment, the way in which they are to be used in relation to particular routes, the distance travelled by them and the number of journeys made by them,(f)
a statement, in relation to a relevant local service, as to
whether the service consists of excursions or tours, and(g)
any other information which may be prescribed under
section 6(2)(a) of the Transport Act 1985 in relation to the registration of a local service under that section.”
In subsection (4) —
at the end of paragraph (a) , omit “and”;
(c)
information about the costs of operating the services
and the number of staff engaged in operating the services.”
“(b)
provision for the information to be provided to a traffic
commissioner.”
“(8A)
Where the regulations impose a duty or confer a power to process
personal data, the duty or power does not operate to require or authorise the data to be processed in a way which contravenes the data protection legislation (but the duty or power is to be taken into account in determining whether the processing contravenes that legislation).(8B)
In subsection (8A) “the data protection legislation”, “personal data”
and “processing” have the same meanings as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act), and “process” and “processed” are to be construed accordingly.”
In the
Statistics of Trade Act 1947
, after
section 9A
insert— Nothing in section 9 prevents or penalises the publication by the a person who, when the information was obtained, held a PSV another person acting on behalf of such a person. For the purposes of this section, information about relevant local the vehicles used to provide the services, including information the number of tickets sold for travel on the services and the the revenue earned from and the costs of operating the services; the number of staff engaged in the operation of the services. In this section— “PSV operator’s licence” has the same meaning as in the
Public “relevant local service” means a local service which has one or “the qualifying period” means the period— beginning with 1 May 2015, and ending with the day on which
section 26
of the
Bus “local service” and “stopping place” have the same meanings At least 30 days before publishing any information in reliance on
section 9B
, the Secretary of State must publish a notice— describing in general terms the information to be published, stating that the information is to be published in reliance on The notice must be published on a website maintained by or on behalf On the publication of any information in reliance on
section 9B
, the section 9, and any subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the
Interpretation Act 1978
) made under that section.”
“9B
Exception for publication of information about local bus services
(1)
Secretary of State of information about relevant local services obtained
under section 1 of this Act during the qualifying period from—
(a)
operator’s licence, or
(b)
(2)
services includes (but is not limited to) information about—
(a)
about their features and equipment, the distance travelled by
them and the number of journeys made by them;
(b)
number of passengers who travelled on them;
(c)
(d)
(3)
(a)
Passenger Vehicles Act 1981
(see section 82(1) of that Act);
(b)
more stopping places in England;
(c)
(i)
(ii)
Services (No. 2) Act 2025
came into force;
(d)
as in the
Transport Act 1985
(see sections 2 and 137(1) of that
Act).
9C
Notice and effect of publication of information under
section 9B
(1)
(a)
and
(b)
that section.
(2)
of the Secretary of State (and may also be published in any other
manner that the Secretary of State thinks appropriate).
(3)
following cease to apply in relation to the information—
(a)
(b)
Section 24
of the
Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981
(regulation of conduct
of inspectors) is amended in accordance with
subsections (2)
and
(3)
.
“(1A)
Regulations under subsection (1)(b) may, in particular, make provision
about whether or not a person authorised to act as an inspector by a relevant authority may act in that capacity in relation to a relevant local service—(a)
at times when the public service vehicle used to provide the
service is outside the area of the authority (including when the vehicle is in Wales or Scotland);(b)
which does not have a stopping place in the area of the
authority.”
“(4)
In this section and section 25 “inspector”, in relation to a public service
vehicle, means—(a)
a person authorised to act as an inspector by the holder of the
PSV operator’s licence under which the vehicle is being used, and(b)
in the case of a vehicle being used to provide a relevant local
service, a person authorised to act as an inspector by a relevant authority.(4A)
In this section—
“
relevant authority” means—(a)
a local transport authority (within the meaning given
by Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000) whose area is in England, or(b)
Transport for London;
“
relevant local service” means a local service which has one or
more stopping places in England;“
stopping place” has the same meaning as in the Transport Act
1985 .”
In the
Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors
and Passengers) Regulations 1990
(S.I. 1990/1020), “inspector” includes an
inspector authorised as mentioned in
section 24
(4)(b)
of the
Public Passenger
Vehicles Act 1981
.
In the
Transport Act 2000
, before the italic heading preceding section 145A A local transport authority whose area is in England, or two or more travel on their local services; the maintenance of order— on their local services; at bus facilities in their area or combined area; the conduct of persons— while travelling on their local services; using bus facilities in their area or combined area. The byelaws may, in particular, make provision— with respect to tickets and other things (whether in physical with respect to the evasion of payment of fares or other charges; with respect to interference with, or obstruction of, local services prohibiting vaping by persons on local services; prohibiting smoking and vaping by persons at bus facilities; with respect to the prevention of nuisance. The byelaws may provide that a person contravening them is guilty level 3 on the standard scale, or such lower level or lower amount as is specified in the byelaws. In this section— references to the local services of a local transport authority or provided under local service contracts entered into by to which an enhanced partnership scheme made by the “bus facility” means— premises used as a bus station by local services, or for a bus shelter and the land on which it stands; “bus station” and “associated facilities” in relation to a bus “bus shelter” means a shelter or other accommodation provided Where a local transport authority or authorities propose to make publish a copy of the proposed byelaws on their website or publish on their website or websites and in one or more local The notice must— state the manner in which a printed copy of the proposed in the case of a notice published in a newspaper, give details state that any person affected by the proposed byelaws may The period specified for the purposes of
subsection (2)
(c)
must be a The local transport authority or authorities must not submit the The Secretary of State may— confirm (with or without modifications) the byelaws submitted refuse to confirm them. The Secretary of State may fix a date for the coming into force of any The power to make byelaws under
section 144A
includes the power The Secretary of State may by regulations revoke byelaws made under
section 144A
. If the Secretary of State has confirmed byelaws made under
section at least one must be kept at the authority’s principal office or one must be sent to the Secretary of State, and one must be supplied to any person who requests it, on The authority or authorities must publish on their website or a copy of the byelaws, and a notice stating— that the byelaws have been confirmed and when they where printed copies of the byelaws can be inspected, how printed copies of the byelaws can be obtained. The production of a printed copy of byelaws which is indorsed with stating one or more matters specified in
subsection (4)
, and purporting to be signed by an officer of a local transport
is evidence of what is stated in the certificate.
Those matters are— that the byelaws were made by the local transport authority that the copy is a true copy of the byelaws, that the byelaws were confirmed by the Secretary of State on the date of the coming into force of the byelaws. An authorised person may— issue a fixed penalty notice (see
section 144E
) to anyone who byelaws under
section 144A
, or this section; require a person who the authorised person reasonably suspects to give their name and address; to leave any vehicle or premises in relation to which An authorised person may use reasonable force to remove a person A person who fails to comply with a requirement under
subsection The Secretary of State may issue guidance about the exercise of The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance issued The Secretary of State must publish— guidance issued under
subsection (4)
, and any variation or revocation of the guidance. In this section “authorised person” means a person authorised for the A fixed penalty notice issued under
section 144D
is a notice offering Where a person is issued with a fixed penalty notice in respect of an no proceedings may be taken for the offence before the end of the person may not be convicted of the offence if the person A fixed penalty notice must— give reasonably detailed particulars of the circumstances alleged state the period during which (because of
subsection (2)
(a)
) proceedings will not be taken for the offence;
specify the amount of the fixed penalty; state the name and address of the person to whom the fixed specify permissible methods of payment. An amount specified under
subsection (3)
(c)
must not be more than A fixed penalty notice may specify two amounts under
subsection Whatever other method may be specified under
subsection (3)
(e)
, payment of a fixed penalty may be made by pre-paying and posting
to the person whose name and address is stated under
subsection Where a letter is sent as mentioned in
subsection (7)
, payment is In any proceedings, a certificate that— purports to be signed by or on behalf of the chief finance officer states that payment of a fixed penalty was, or was not, received
is evidence of the facts stated.
In this section—
“
“
insert—
“Local transport authority byelaws
144A
Power of local transport authorities to make bus byelaws
(1)
such authorities acting jointly, may make byelaws regulating one or
more of the following—
(a)
(b)
(i)
(ii)
(c)
(i)
(ii)
(2)
(a)
or electronic form) which authorise a person to enter and travel
on local services;
(b)
(c)
and bus facilities;
(d)
(e)
(f)
(3)
of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not
exceeding—
(a)
(b)
(4)
(a)
authorities are to local services—
(i)
the authority or authorities under a franchising scheme,
or
(ii)
authority or authorities relates;
(b)
(i)
the provision of associated facilities in relation to such
a bus station;
(ii)
(c)
station have the same meanings as in the
Transport Act 1985
(see section 83(5) of that Act);
(d)
at a stopping place for the use of persons intending to travel
on local services.
144B
Byelaws: procedure
(1)
byelaws under
section 144A
, they must—
(a)
websites, and
(b)
newspapers circulating in the authority’s or authorities’ area
or combined area a notice of the proposal to make byelaws.
(2)
(a)
byelaws will be open to public inspection,
(b)
of the website or websites where a copy of the proposed
byelaws can be found, and
(c)
make representations about them to the authority or authorities
within the period specified in the notice.
(3)
period of at least 28 days beginning with the day after that on which
the notice is published.
(4)
byelaws for confirmation unless they have considered the
representations that have been made to them.
(5)
(a)
for confirmation, or
(b)
(6)
byelaws confirmed under
subsection (5)
(a)
; but if no such date is fixed
the byelaws come into force at the end of the period of 28 days
beginning with the day after that on which they are confirmed.
(7)
to make byelaws amending or revoking byelaws made under that
section.
(8)
144C
Byelaws: copies and evidence
(1)
144A
, the local transport authority or authorities which made them
must print copies of the byelaws, of which—
(a)
at each of the authorities’ principal offices,
(b)
(c)
payment by the person of such reasonable charge as the
authority or authorities may determine.
(2)
websites—
(a)
(b)
(i)
come into force,
(ii)
and
(iii)
(3)
a certificate—
(a)
(b)
authority by whom the byelaws purport to have been made,
(4)
(a)
or authorities,
(b)
(c)
the date specified in the certificate, and
(d)
144D
Powers of authorised persons in relation to byelaws
(1)
(a)
that person has reason to believe has committed an offence
under—
(i)
(ii)
(b)
of committing or attempting to commit an offence under
byelaws under
section 144A
to do one or both of the
following—
(i)
(ii)
the byelaws apply.
(2)
who has failed to comply with a requirement under
subsection
(1)
(b)
(ii)
.
(3)
(1)
(b)
commits an offence and is liable, on summary conviction, to a
fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
(4)
functions under this section and
section 144E
, and local transport
authorities whose areas are in England and authorised persons must
have regard to the guidance when exercising those functions.
(5)
under
subsection (4)
.
(6)
(a)
(b)
(7)
purposes of this section by the local transport authority or authorities
which made the byelaws.
144E
Fixed penalty notices
(1)
the person to whom it is issued the opportunity of discharging any
liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty
to the person specified in the notice.
(2)
offence—
(a)
the period of 14 days following the date of the notice;
(b)
pays the fixed penalty before the end of that period.
(3)
(a)
to constitute the offence;
(b)
(c)
(d)
penalty may be paid;
(e)
(4)
(5)
£100.
(6)
(3)
(c)
and specify that, if the lower of those amounts is paid within a
specified period (of less than 14 days), that is the amount of the fixed
penalty.
(7)
(3)
(d)
, at the stated address, a letter containing the amount of the
penalty (in cash or otherwise).
(8)
regarded as having been made at the time at which that letter would
be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
(9)
(a)
of the local transport authority concerned, and
(b)
by the date specified in the certificate,
(10)
chief finance officer”, in relation to a local transport authority,
means the person with responsibility for the authority’s
financial affairs;
the data protection legislation”, “personal data” and “processing”
have the same meanings as in the Data Protection Act 2018
(see section 3 of that Act).”
Subsection (3)
of
section 235
of the
Local Government Act 1972
does not
prevent byelaws being made under
that section
which could also be made
under
section 144A
of the
Transport Act 2000
where the local authority making
the byelaws made an application to the Secretary of State under regulation
6 of the Byelaws (Alternative Procedure) (England) Regulations 2016 (S.I.
2016/165) before
this section
came into force.
In the Greater London Authority Act 1999, after Chapter 8 of Part 4 insert— Transport for London may make byelaws regulating one or more of travel on London local services; the maintenance of order on London local services; the conduct of persons while travelling on London local The byelaws may, in particular, make provision— with respect to tickets and other things (whether in physical with respect to the evasion of payment of fares or other charges; with respect to interference with, or obstruction of, London prohibiting vaping by persons on London local services; with respect to the prevention of nuisance. The byelaws may provide that a person contravening them is guilty level 3 on the standard scale, or such lower level or lower amount as is specified in the byelaws. An authorised person may— issue a fixed penalty notice (see section
244C
) to anyone who a bus byelaws offence, a premises byelaws offence, or an offence under this section; require a person who the authorised person reasonably suspects to give their name and address; to leave any vehicle in relation to which the byelaws An authorised person may use reasonable force to remove a person A person who fails to comply with a requirement under
subsection The Secretary of State may issue guidance about the exercise of The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance issued The Secretary of State must publish— guidance issued under
subsection (4)
, and any variation or revocation of the guidance. In this section—
“
“
“ A fixed penalty notice issued under
section 244B
is a notice offering Where a person is issued with a fixed penalty notice in respect of an no proceedings may be taken for the offence before the end of the person may not be convicted of the offence if the person A fixed penalty notice must— give reasonably detailed particulars of the circumstances alleged state the period during which (because of
subsection (2)
(a)
) proceedings will not be taken for the offence;
specify the amount of the fixed penalty; state the name and address of the person to whom the fixed specify permissible methods of payment. An amount specified under
subsection (3)
(c)
must not be more than A fixed penalty notice may specify two amounts under
subsection Whatever other method may be specified under
subsection (3)
(e)
, payment of the fixed penalty may be made by pre-paying and posting
to the person whose name and address is stated under
subsection Where a letter is sent as mentioned in
subsection (6)
, payment is In any proceedings, a certificate that— purports to be signed by or on behalf of the person with states that payment of the fixed penalty was, or was not,
is evidence of the facts stated.
In this section “the data protection legislation”, “personal data” and
“Chapter 8A
Bus byelaws
London local service byelaws
244A
Power to make byelaws for London local services
(1)
the following—
(a)
(b)
(c)
services.
(2)
(a)
or electronic form) which authorise a person to enter and travel
on London local services;
(b)
(c)
local services;
(d)
(e)
(3)
of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not
exceeding—
(a)
(b)
Enforcement
244B
Powers of authorised persons
(1)
(a)
that person has reason to believe has committed—
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(b)
of committing or attempting to commit a bus byelaws offence
to do one or both of the following—
(i)
(ii)
under section
244A
apply.
(2)
who has failed to comply with a requirement under
subsection
(1)
(b)
(ii)
.
(3)
(1)
(b)
commits an offence and is liable, on summary conviction, to a
fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
(4)
functions under this section and
section 244C
, and Transport for
London and authorised persons must have regard to the guidance
when exercising those functions.
(5)
under
subsection (4)
.
(6)
(a)
(b)
(7)
authorised person” means a person authorised for the purposes
of this section by Transport for London;
bus byelaws offence” means an offence under byelaws made
under
section 244A
;
premises byelaws offence” means an offence under byelaws
made under section 25 of the London Transport Act 1969
committed on premises used by a London local service.
244C
Fixed penalty notices
(1)
the person to whom it is issued the opportunity of discharging any
liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty
to Transport for London.
(2)
offence—
(a)
the period of 14 days following the date of the notice;
(b)
pays the fixed penalty before the end of that period.
(3)
(a)
to constitute the offence;
(b)
(c)
(d)
penalty may be paid;
(e)
(4)
(5)
£100.
(6)
(3)
(c)
and specify that, if the lower of those amounts is paid within a
specified period (of less than 14 days), that is the amount of the fixed
penalty.
(7)
(3)
(d)
, at the stated address, a letter containing the amount of the
penalty (in cash or otherwise).
(8)
regarded as having been made at the time at which that letter would
be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
(9)
(a)
responsibility for the financial affairs of Transport for London,
and
(b)
received by the date specified in the certificate,
(10)
“processing” have the same meanings as in the Data Protection Act
2018 (see section 3 of that Act).”
The Secretary of State may give guidance about stopping places for local
services, and facilities in the vicinity of such stopping places, for the purposes
of—
promoting the safety of persons using such facilities,
facilitating travel by persons with disabilities (within the meaning
given by
section 6
of the
Equality Act 2010
) on local services, or
enabling persons with disabilities (within that meaning) to travel on
local services independently, and in safety and reasonable comfort.
The guidance may, in particular, include guidance about—
the location, design, construction and maintenance of stopping places
and facilities in the vicinity of stopping places;
how persons required to have regard to the guidance are to engage
with other persons in relation to stopping places and facilities in the
vicinity of stopping places.
The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance under
this
section
.
The Secretary of State must publish guidance given under
this section
and
any variation or revocation of the guidance.
The Secretary of State must consult the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory
Committee—
before giving or revoking guidance under this section , or
before varying guidance under
this section
in a way which, in the
opinion of the Secretary of State, results in a substantial change to the
guidance.
The following must have regard to guidance published under this section when commissioning the design, construction or maintenance of a stopping place for a local service, or any facilities in the vicinity of a stopping place for a local service—
a local transport authority (within the meaning given by Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000 ) whose area is in England;
Transport for London;
a local traffic authority (within the meaning given by
section 121A
of
the
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
), in relation to stopping places
on roads in England;
a strategic highways company (within the meaning given by
section
1
of the
Infrastructure Act 2015
), in relation to stopping places on
highways in England.
In this section —
“
facilities” means any facilities provided—
to assist persons with accessing a stopping place,
for the use of passengers awaiting, boarding or alighting from
a public service vehicle being used to provide a local service,
or
to assist with the positioning of a public service vehicle being
used to provide a local service at a stopping place so as to
enable passengers to board or alight from the vehicle;
“
local service” has the same meaning as in the
Transport Act 1985
(see
section 2 of that Act);
“
public service vehicle” has the same meaning as in the
Public Passenger
Vehicles Act 1981
(see section 1 of that Act);
“
stopping place” has the same meaning as in the
Transport Act 1985
(see
section 137 of that Act).
The Secretary of State must give guidance about the provision and design of
floating bus stops.
The guidance may, in particular, include guidance about—
matters to be taken into account, and the consultation that should be
carried out, when deciding whether it is appropriate to construct or
remove a floating bus stop;
the circumstances in which it is appropriate to construct or remove
particular types of floating bus stops;
other considerations to be taken into account when designing floating
bus stops.
The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance given under
this section.
The Secretary of State must publish guidance given under this section and
any variation or revocation of the guidance.
The first guidance given under this section must be published before the end
of the period of three months beginning with the day on which this Act is
passed.
The Secretary of State must consult the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory
Committee, and any other persons who in the opinion of the Secretary of
State it is appropriate to consult—
before giving or revoking guidance under this section, or
before varying guidance under this section in a way which, in the
opinion of the Secretary of State, results in a substantial change to the
guidance.
The following must have regard to the guidance—
a local transport authority (within the meaning given by Part 2 of the
Transport Act 2000) whose area is in England;
Transport for London;
a local traffic authority (within the meaning given by section 121A of
the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984), in relation to stopping places
on roads in England;
a local highway authority (within the meaning of the Highways Act
1980), in relation to stopping places on highways in England;
a strategic highways company (within the meaning given by section
1 of the Infrastructure Act 2015), in relation to stopping places on
highways in England.
In this section—
“
floating bus stop” means an area in the immediate vicinity of a stopping
place for local services, which is designed—
for use by people accessing the stopping place, and
so as to incorporate a cycle track (within the meaning of the
Highways Act 1980 (see section 329 of that Act));
“
local service” and “stopping place” have the same meanings as in the
Transport Act 1985 (see sections 2 and 137 of that Act).
An authority which is subject to a duty under section 30 (6) or section 31 (7) (duties to have regard to guidance) must, when requested to do so, provide to the Secretary of State—
details of how they have complied with the duty, and
any other information relating to stopping places provided by the
authority and used by local services that is specified in the request.
The request may specify the form in which, and the period within which, the
information is to be provided.
The Secretary of State may publish—
any information provided under this section, and
if it appears to the Secretary of State that the authority have not
complied with their duty under
section 30
(6)
or
section 31
(7)
, a
statement to that effect.
In this section “local service” and “stopping place” have the same meanings
as in the Transport Act 1985 (see sections 2 and 137 of that Act).
In the
Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981
, after
Part 2
insert— The operator of a public service vehicle may not permit another person Condition 1 is that— the operator has, within the past three years, checked a relevant the certificate does not show that the person is barred from Condition 2 is that— the operator has, within the past three years, checked— a relevant enhanced criminal record certificate relating up-date information given, within the past three years, the certificate does not show that the person is barred from the up-date information is not advice to request the person to In this section—
“
“ A reference in this Part to regulated activity relating to children is to For the purposes of this Part, a person drives a public service vehicle by driving the vehicle the person is engaging in regulated the children using the service are being conveyed between their the vehicle is being used in circumstances such that a PSV In this Part— “primary education”, “secondary education” and “further “children” means persons who have not attained the age of
“Part 2A
Safeguarding duty: drivers of school services
29A
Duty to check barring information
(1)
to drive the vehicle for a school service unless condition 1 or 2 is met.
(2)
(a)
enhanced criminal record certificate issued within that period
relating to the person who is to drive the vehicle, and
(b)
regulated activity relating to children.
(3)
(a)
(i)
to the person who is to drive the vehicle, and
(ii)
under
section 116A
of the
Police Act 1997
in relation to
the certificate,
(b)
regulated activity relating to children, and
(c)
apply for a new enhanced criminal record certificate.
(4)
enhanced criminal record certificate” means an enhanced criminal
record certificate issued under
section 113B
of the
Police Act
1997
;
relevant enhanced criminal record certificate” means an enhanced
criminal record certificate which includes, by virtue of
section
113BA
of the
Police Act 1997
, suitability information relating
to children.
29B
Interpretation of Part 2A
(1)
be construed in accordance with
Part 1
of
Schedule 4
to the
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
.
(2)
for a school service where—
(a)
activity relating to children by virtue of
paragraph 2
(1)
(f)
of
Schedule 4
to the
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
,
(b)
homes and institutions for providing primary, secondary or
further education that they are attending, and
(c)
operator’s licence is required for its use.
(3)
(a)
education” have the meanings given in the
Education Act 1996
(see section 2 of that Act);
(b)
18.”
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
“Training of staff
144F Training about crime and anti-social behaviour
(1)
The holder of a PSV operator’s licence must ensure that the training
requirement is fulfilled in relation to any person who—(a)
drives a public service vehicle being used under the licence to
provide a local service, or(b)
on behalf of the holder of the licence deals directly with—
(i)
passengers travelling on vehicles being used under the
licence to provide local services, or(ii)
issues related to such passengers.
(2)
The training requirement is that, within the past five years, the person
has completed training the aim of which is to assist the person to identify, respond appropriately to and, where safe to do so, prevent—(a)
criminal offences that would cause a victim or potential victim
of the offence to fear for their personal safety, and(b)
anti-social behaviour, within the meaning given by section 29 (1) of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 .
(3)
The Secretary of State may by regulations require holders of PSV
operators’ licences—(a)
to keep such records relating to their compliance with the
requirements of this section as are specified or described in the regulations,(b)
to publish, in such manner and at such times as the regulations
specify, such information relating to their compliance with the requirements of this section as is specified or described in the regulations, and(c)
to provide to the Secretary of State such information relating
to their compliance with the requirements of this section as the Secretary of State may require.(4)
Where regulations made under this section impose a duty or confer
a power to process personal data, the duty or power does not operate to require or authorise the data to be processed in a way which contravenes the data protection legislation (but the duty or power is to be taken into account in determining whether the processing contravenes that legislation).(5)
In subsection (4) “the data protection legislation”, “personal data” and
“processing” have the same meanings as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act), and “process” and “processed” are to be construed accordingly.(6)
The Secretary of State may issue guidance about compliance with the
requirements of this section and of regulations made under it.(7)
The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance issued
under subsection (6) .(8)
The Secretary of State must publish—
(a)
guidance issued under subsection (6) , and
(b)
any variation or revocation of the guidance.”
“(1ZDA)
Where a traffic commissioner is satisfied that the holder of a PSV
operator’s licence has, without reasonable excuse, failed to comply with a requirement of section 144F or of regulations made under that section, the traffic commissioner may make one or more orders under subsection (1A)(a) or (d).”
Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 is amended as follows.
In Article 2 (scope), at the end of paragraph 2 insert “, and where the service
is a local service, point (a) of Article 16(1) shall also apply”.
“(y)
“local service” means a local service within the meaning given
by the Transport Act 1985.”
In Article 16 (training)—
in paragraph 1(b), for “as described in part (a) of Annex II” substitute as described in part (a) of Annex II, and in relation to local services, as described in part (b)
“—
(i)
(ii)
of Annex II.”, and
“1A.
Carriers and terminal managing bodies must ensure that the
requirements of paragraph 1 have been completed within the past five years in relation to any of their personnel who fall within point (a) or (b) of that paragraph in relation to local services.”
The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument
require carriers and terminal managing bodies—
to keep such records relating to their compliance with the disability
training requirements as are specified or described in the regulations,
to publish, in such manner and at such times as the regulations specify,
such information relating to their compliance with the disability
training requirements as is specified or described in the regulations,
and
to provide to the Secretary of State such information relating to their
compliance with the disability training requirements as the Secretary
of State may require.
Where regulations made under this section impose a duty or confer a power
to process personal data, the duty or power does not operate to require or
authorise the data to be processed in a way which contravenes the data
protection legislation (but the duty or power is to be taken into account in
determining whether the processing contravenes that legislation).
The power to make regulations under this section includes power to make—
consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving
provision;
different provision for different purposes.
A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to
annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
The Secretary of State may issue guidance about compliance with the
requirements of—
the disability training requirements, and
regulations made under this section .
The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance issued under subsection (5) .
The Secretary of State must publish—
guidance issued under subsection (5) , and
any variation or revocation of the guidance.
In this section —
“the data protection legislation”, “personal data” and “processing”
have the same meanings as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section
3 of that Act), and “process” and “processed” are to be construed
accordingly,
“Regulation 181/2011” means
Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 of the
European Parliament and of the Council
of 16 February 2011
concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport and
amending
Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004
,
“carrier” and “terminal managing body” have the same meanings as
in
Regulation 181/2011
, and
“disability training requirements” means the requirements of paragraph
1 of Article 16 of Regulation 181/2011 as they apply by virtue of
paragraph 1A of that Article.
“Enforcement: disability training and information 10A.
(1)
It is the duty of a traffic commissioner to exercise the powers
available to the commissioner under this regulation and any other enactments in such manner as may be necessary or expedient in the opinion of the commissioner to remedy or avoid any contravention of—(a)
the requirements of paragraph 1 of Article 16 of Regulation 181/2011 as they apply by virtue of paragraph 1A of that Article ;
(b)
the requirements of regulations made under section 36 of the Bus
Services (No. 2) Act 2025.(2)
If a traffic commissioner is satisfied that a carrier or terminal managing
body has, without reasonable excuse, contravened any such requirement, the traffic commissioner may impose a penalty on the carrier or terminal managing body.(3)
Paragraphs (6) to (8), (10) to (12) and (14) to (16) of regulation 10 apply
in relation to the imposition of a penalty under this regulation on a carrier or terminal managing body as they apply in relation to the imposition of a penalty under paragraph (4)(b)(ii) of that regulation on a relevant person.”
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
“Zero-emission vehicles
151A Use of zero-emission vehicles for local services in England
(1)
(2)
A service falls within this subsection if it is—
(a)
a local service which has one or more stopping places in
England and which—(i)
is registered under section 6 of the Transport Act 1985,
or(ii)
is not required to be registered under that section
because of section 123J(2) or an exemption granted under section 123PA(1), or(b)
a London local service (within the meaning given by section
179 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999).(3)
A vehicle falls within this subsection if—
(a)
it is constructed or adapted to carry both seated and standing
passengers, with the number of seated passengers being more than 22 (determined in accordance with regulations made under section 26 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981),(b)
it is first registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration
Act 1994 on or after a date specified in regulations made by
the Secretary of State, and(c)
the tailpipe emissions from it include any of the following—
(i)
carbon dioxide;
(ii)
carbon monoxide;
(iii)
hydrocarbon;
(iv)
nitrogen oxide;
(v)
particulates.
(4)
The Secretary of State may by regulations—
(a)
specify descriptions of document that may be relied on in order
to determine for the purposes of this section what is included in the tailpipe emissions from a vehicle,(b)
specify descriptions of vehicle in relation to which subsection
(1) does not apply, and(c)
specify local services or descriptions of local service in relation
to which subsection (1) does not apply.(5)
The date specified under subsection (3) (b) may not be before 1 January
2030.”
In
section 155
(sanctions), after
subsection (1ZDA)
(inserted by
section 34
of Where a traffic commissioner is satisfied that the operator of a local
this Act), insert—
“(1ZDB)
service has, without reasonable excuse, operated the local service in
contravention of
section 151A
(1)
of this Act, the traffic commissioner
may make one or more orders under subsection (1A)(a) or (d).”
In section 160 (regulations and orders)—
The Secretary of State must, within two years of the day on which this Act
is passed, conduct a review of the level of bus services being provided to
villages in England.
The review under subsection (1) must assess—
the change in the level of services to villages since the passing of this
Act,
the number of villages in England not served by bus services,
demographic characteristics of villages in relation to the level of bus
services available, and
the impact of this Act on the provision of bus services to villages in
England.
In conducting the review under subsection
(1)
, the Secretary of State must
consult relevant stakeholders, including local councils and transport authorities.
The Secretary of State must work with bus service providers, trade unions, professional bodies, and appropriate training institutions to implement a Vision Zero programme within the bus sector, modelled on best practice in the industry, with the aim of eliminating serious injuries in the course of bus operations.
Any bus operator which has entered into a contract to operate a franchising
scheme or enhanced partnership plan must record all data about assaults and
violent behaviour that have taken place on their buses and share that data
with their Local Transport Authority.
Local Transport Authorities must consult relevant trade unions regarding any
issues of staff safety arising from the data collected under subsection
(1)
.
The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision that is consequential
on this Act.
Regulations under this section may amend, repeal or revoke provision made
by or under an Act passed—
before this Act, or
later in the same session of Parliament as this Act.
The power to make regulations under this section includes power to make—
consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving
provision;
different provision for different purposes.
Regulations under this section are to be made by statutory instrument.
A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section that amend
or repeal provision made by an Act may not be made unless a draft of the
instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House
of Parliament.
Any other statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is
subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of
Parliament.
The following provisions extend to England and Wales and Scotland—
The remaining provisions of this Act extend to England and Wales only.
Section
31
comes into force at the end of the period of two months beginning
with the day on which this Act is passed.
Section
33
comes into force at the end of the period of six months beginning
with the day on which this Act is passed.
The remaining provisions of this Act come into force—
for the purposes of making regulations, on the day on which this Act
is passed;
for remaining purposes, on such day or days as the Secretary of State
may by regulations made by statutory instrument appoint.
The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument make
transitional or saving provision (in addition to any transitional and saving
provision made by this Act) in connection with the coming into force of any
provision of this Act.
This Act may be cited as the Bus Services (No. 2) Act 2025.
After
Schedule 9
to the
Transport Act 2000
insert— A franchising authority or authorities must comply with the requirements The franchising authority or authorities must prepare an assessment of the The assessment must— describe the effects that the proposed variation is likely to produce, compare the proposed variation to making an enhanced partnership The assessment must also include consideration of— whether the proposed variation would contribute to the the authority’s or authorities’ policies under section 108(1)(a), other policies affecting local services that the authority or whether the proposed variation would contribute to the those authorities’ policies under section 108(1)(a), and other policies affecting local services that those authorities how the authority or authorities would operate the scheme as whether the authority or authorities would be able to afford to whether the scheme as proposed to be varied would represent value the extent to which the authority or authorities are likely to be able The Secretary of State must issue guidance concerning the preparation of Franchising authorities must have regard to any such guidance. In this paragraph “relevant local authority” means— a local transport authority, a London transport authority, or a council in Scotland. Before preparing an assessment of a proposed variation under
paragraph The franchising authority or authorities may not proceed with the proposed The report must state whether, in the opinion of the approved person— the information relied on by the authority or authorities in the analysis of that information in the assessment is of sufficient the authority or authorities had due regard to guidance issued under
paragraph 2
in preparing the assessment. The Secretary of State must issue guidance as to— the time at which it is appropriate to appoint an approved person the matters to be taken into account by a franchising authority when Franchising authorities must have regard to any such guidance. The Secretary of State must issue guidance concerning the matters to be Approved persons must have regard to any such guidance. In this paragraph “approved person” means a person specified, or of a This paragraph applies if, after a report under
paragraph 4
, the authority The authority or authorities must— publish a consultation document relating to the proposed variation publish the assessment of the proposed variation, publish the report on that assessment, and give notice of the proposed variation in such manner as the authority A notice under
sub-paragraph (2)
(d)
must— describe the proposed variation, and state where copies of the proposed variation and the documents After giving notice under
sub-paragraph (2)
(d)
, the authority or authorities all persons operating local services which have one or more stopping all other persons holding a PSV operator’s licence or a community such persons as appear to the authority or authorities to represent such organisations appearing to the authority or authorities to be such persons with disabilities (within the meaning given by section any other relevant local authority any part of whose area would, a traffic commissioner, the chief officer of police for each police area covering the whole the Passengers’ Council, and the Competition and Markets Authority. The authority or authorities may modify the proposed variation after In
sub-paragraph (4)
(f)
“relevant local authority” means— a local transport authority, a district council, a National Park authority, the Broads Authority, a London transport authority, or a council in Scotland. A consultation document under
paragraph 5
(2)
(a)
relating to the proposed a description of the area to which the scheme as proposed to be a description of areas within that area for which different provision a description of the local services that are proposed to be provided a description of the local services that are proposed to be excepted the date on which the scheme is proposed to be varied, the date or dates by which it is proposed that local service contracts the period or periods it is proposed will expire between the making a description of the authority’s or authorities’ proposed plans for a statement about how, in conducting the procurement process for the date by which responses to the consultation must be received. The consultation document must also include a summary of the assessment A franchising authority or authorities that conduct a consultation under
paragraph 5
must publish a report setting out— the authority’s or authorities’ response to the consultation; the authority’s or authorities’ decision on whether to vary the If the decision is to vary the franchising scheme, the report must be The authority or authorities must give notice of the report to a traffic If the authority or authorities decide to vary the franchising scheme, the If a franchising authority are a mayoral combined authority, the function If a franchising authority are a mayoral CCA, the function of deciding A franchising authority or authorities must comply with the requirements The authority or authorities must— publish a consultation document relating to the proposed variation give notice of the proposed variation in such manner as the authority A notice under
sub-paragraph (1)
(b)
must— describe the proposed variation, and state where copies of the proposed variation and the consultation After giving notice under
sub-paragraph (1)
(b)
, the authority or authorities all persons operating local services which have one or more stopping all other persons holding a PSV operator’s licence or a community such persons as appear to the authority or authorities to represent such organisations appearing to the authority or authorities to be such persons with disabilities (within the meaning given by section any other relevant local authority any part of whose area would, a traffic commissioner, the chief officer of police for each police area covering the whole the Passengers’ Council, and the Competition and Markets Authority. The authority or authorities may modify the proposed variation after In
sub-paragraph (3)
(f)
“relevant local authority” means— a local transport authority, a district council, a National Park authority, the Broads Authority, a London transport authority, or a council in Scotland. A consultation document under
paragraph 9
relating to the proposed a description of the area to which the scheme as proposed to be a description of the local services that are proposed to be provided the date on which the scheme is proposed to be varied, and the date by which responses to the consultation must be received. A franchising authority or authorities that conduct a consultation under
paragraph 9
must publish a report setting out— the authority’s or authorities’ response to the consultation; the authority’s or authorities’ decision on whether to vary the If the decision is to vary the franchising scheme, the report must be The authority or authorities must give notice of the report to a traffic If a franchising authority are a mayoral combined authority, the function If a franchising authority are a mayoral CCA, the function of deciding A franchising authority or authorities must comply with the requirements does not include a variation of the area specified under section does include one or more of the following— a variation of the local services specified under section a variation of the scheme sub-areas specified under section a variation of the period specified under section 123H(2)(d) a variation of the local services that are excepted under The franchising authority or authorities must consult— in the case of a variation mentioned in
paragraph 12
(b)
(i)
,
(ii)
or
(iv)
— any other relevant local authority any part of whose area such organisations appearing to the authority or authorities the Passengers’ Council, in the case of a variation mentioned in
paragraph 12
(b)
(ii)
or
(iii)
, the Competition and Markets Authority,
in the case of a variation mentioned in
paragraph 12
(b)
(iii)
, a traffic in the case of any variation mentioned in
paragraph 12
(b)
— persons operating local services who would, in the opinion such persons with disabilities (within the meaning given by any other persons whom, in the opinion of the authority or In
sub-paragraph (1)
(a)
(i)
, “relevant local authority” means— a local transport authority, a district council, a National Park authority, the Broads Authority, a London transport authority, or a council in Scotland. A franchising authority or authorities that conduct a consultation under
paragraph 13
must publish a report setting out— the authority’s or authorities’ response to the consultation; the authority’s or authorities’ decision on whether to vary the If the decision is to vary the franchising scheme, the report must be The authority or authorities must give notice of the report to a traffic If a franchising authority are a mayoral combined authority, the function If a franchising authority are a mayoral CCA, the function of deciding
“Schedule 9A
Procedure for varying Franchising scheme
Part 1
Adding to scheme area
Application
1
of this Part of this Schedule before varying the area specified under section
123H(2)(a) in relation to a franchising scheme where the variation adds to
the scheme area.
Assessment
2
(1)
proposed variation.
(2)
(a)
and
(b)
plan or scheme in relation to the additional area.
(3)
(a)
implementation of—
(i)
and
(ii)
authorities have adopted and published,
(b)
implementation by neighbouring relevant local authorities of—
(i)
(ii)
have adopted and published,
(c)
proposed to be varied,
(d)
operate the scheme as proposed to be varied,
(e)
for money, and
(f)
to secure that local services in the area of the scheme as proposed
to be varied are operated under local service contracts.
(4)
(5)
an assessment under this paragraph, and that guidance may, in particular,
include guidance about methods to be used when assessing a proposed
variation.
(6)
(7)
(a)
(b)
(c)
Notice of assessment
3
2
, the franchising authority or authorities must publish, in such manner as
they consider appropriate, a notice stating that they intend to prepare such
an assessment.
Report on assessment
4
(1)
variation unless they have obtained a report from an independent approved
person on the assessment of the proposed variation (see
paragraph 2
).
(2)
(a)
considering the matters referred to in
paragraph 2
(3)
(d)
and (e) is
of sufficient quality,
(b)
quality, and
(c)
(3)
(a)
to produce a report for the purposes of
sub-paragraph (1)
, and
(b)
selecting such a person, including for the purposes of determining
whether a person is independent.
(4)
(5)
taken into account by an approved person when forming an opinion as to
whether the information relied on, and the analysis of that information, by
an authority is of sufficient quality for the purposes of
sub-paragraph (2)
.
(6)
(7)
description specified, in regulations made by the Secretary of State.
Consultation
5
(1)
or authorities wish to proceed with the proposed variation.
(2)
(a)
(see
paragraph 6
),
(b)
(c)
(d)
or authorities consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention
of persons in the area to which the scheme as proposed to be varied
relates.
(3)
(a)
(b)
mentioned in
sub-paragraph (2)
(a)
to
(c)
may be inspected.
(4)
must consult—
(a)
places in the area or areas to which the scheme as proposed to be
varied relates,
(b)
bus permit who would, in the opinion of the authority or authorities,
be affected by the proposed variation,
(c)
employees of persons falling within
paragraph (a)
,
(d)
representative of users of local services as they think fit,
(e)
6 of the Equality Act 2010) who are users or prospective users of
local services, or such organisations appearing to the authority or
authorities to be representative of such persons, as they think fit,
(f)
in the opinion of the authority or authorities, be affected by the
proposed variation,
(g)
(h)
or part of the area to which the scheme as proposed to be varied
relates,
(i)
(j)
(5)
consulting those persons and organisations.
(6)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Consultation document
6
(1)
variation must include—
(a)
varied relates,
(b)
is proposed to be made, if such provision is proposed to be included
in the scheme as proposed to be varied,
(c)
under local service contracts,
(d)
from regulation arising because of the scheme as proposed to be
varied,
(e)
(f)
first be entered into under the scheme as proposed to be varied,
(g)
of local service contracts and the provision of local services under
such contracts,
(h)
consulting in order to seek views on how well the scheme as varied
is working,
(i)
the provision of local services under the scheme as varied, the
authority or authorities propose to facilitate the involvement of
small and medium-sized operators in the provision of local services,
and
(j)
(2)
prepared under
paragraph 2
in relation to the proposed variation.
Response to consultation
7
(1)
(a)
(b)
franchising scheme.
(2)
published at the same time as the notice of the decision is published under
section 123M(2)(a).
(3)
commissioner.
(4)
report must set out how, in conducting the procurement process for the
provision of local services under the scheme as varied, the authority or
authorities will facilitate the involvement of small and medium-sized
operators in the provision of local services.
(5)
of deciding whether to vary the franchising scheme is a function of the
combined authority exercisable only by the mayor acting on behalf of the
combined authority (including in a case where the decision is to vary a
scheme jointly with one or more other franchising authorities).
(6)
whether to vary the franchising scheme is a function of the combined
county authority exercisable only by the mayor acting on behalf of the
combined county authority (including in a case where the decision is to
vary a scheme jointly with one or more other franchising authorities).
Part 2
Reducing scheme area
Application
8
of this Part of this Schedule before varying the area specified under section
123H(2)(a) in relation to a franchising scheme where the variation does not
add to the scheme area.
Consultation
9
(1)
(a)
(see
paragraph 10
), and
(b)
or authorities consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention
of persons in the area to which the scheme relates.
(2)
(a)
(b)
document may be inspected.
(3)
must consult—
(a)
places in the area or areas to which the scheme relates,
(b)
bus permit who would, in the opinion of the authority or authorities,
be affected by the proposed variation,
(c)
employees of persons falling within
paragraph (a)
,
(d)
representative of users of local services as they think fit,
(e)
6 of the Equality Act 2010) who are users or prospective users of
local services, or such organisations appearing to the authority or
authorities to be representative of such persons, as they think fit,
(f)
in the opinion of the authority or authorities, be affected by the
proposed variation,
(g)
(h)
or part of the area to which the scheme relates,
(i)
(j)
(4)
consulting those persons and organisations.
(5)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Consultation document
10
variation must include—
(a)
varied relates,
(b)
under local service contracts under the scheme as proposed to be
varied,
(c)
(d)
Response to consultation
11
(1)
(a)
(b)
scheme.
(2)
published at the same time as the notice of the decision is published under
section 123M(2)(a).
(3)
commissioner.
(4)
of deciding whether to vary the franchising scheme is a function of the
combined authority exercisable only by the mayor acting on behalf of the
combined authority (including in a case where the decision is to vary a
scheme jointly with one or more other franchising authorities).
(5)
whether to vary the franchising scheme is a function of the combined
county authority exercisable only by the mayor acting on behalf of the
combined county authority (including in a case where the decision is to
vary a scheme jointly with one or more other franchising authorities).
Part 3
Other variations
Application
12
of this Part of this Schedule before varying a franchising scheme where the
variation—
(a)
123H(2)(a) in relation to the scheme, but
(b)
(i)
123H(2)(b) in relation to the scheme;
(ii)
123H(3)(a) in relation to the scheme;
(iii)
or (3)(c) in relation to the scheme;
(iv)
section 123H(5) from regulation arising because of the
scheme.
Consultation
13
(1)
(a)
(i)
would, in the opinion of the authority or authorities, be
affected by the proposed variation,
(ii)
to be representative of users of local services as they think
fit, and,
(iii)
(b)
(c)
commissioner, and
(d)
(i)
of the authority or authorities, be affected by the proposed
variation,
(ii)
section 6 of the Equality Act 2010) who are users or
prospective users of local services, or such organisations
appearing to the authority or authorities to be representative
of such persons, as they think fit, and
(iii)
authorities, it would be appropriate to consult.
(2)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Response to consultation
14
(1)
(a)
(b)
scheme.
(2)
published at the same time as the notice of the decision is published under
section 123M(2)(a).
(3)
commissioner.
(4)
of deciding whether to vary the franchising scheme is a function of the
combined authority exercisable only by the mayor acting on behalf of the
combined authority (including in a case where the decision is to vary a
scheme jointly with one or more other franchising authorities).
(5)
whether to vary the franchising scheme is a function of the combined
county authority exercisable only by the mayor acting on behalf of the
combined county authority (including in a case where the decision is to
vary a scheme jointly with one or more other franchising authorities).”
A
bill
to
Make provision about local and school bus services; and for connected purposes.
Ordered to be Printed, .
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