Industry bodies have largely welcomed passing of the Bus Services Bill to the House of Lords, albeit with some caution. Some have called for more funding guarantees to make the government’s bus vision a reality. 

The Bill is largely designed to boost further local control of the bus sector, with an emphasis on protecting lifeline services. 

Priority welcomed, but funding required

The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has welcomed the priority given to upgrading local transport services in the government’s Bus Services Bill.

However, the CPT warned that local authority control over bus services is no silver bullet – and that different models for oversight of buses will be suitable for different parts of the country.

Bus and coach operators emphasised that adequate funding for socially important routes, and measures to tackle traffic congestion, are critical in making buses attractive for passengers across England.

“But to truly put bus passengers first, the government needs to use next year’s Spending Review to back its ambitions with hard cash” – Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of CPT

Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of CPT, said: “More than 11 million people travel by bus every day. We are pleased that the government understands the importance of buses in connecting communities and in kickstarting economic growth.

“Bus operators share the goal of delivering frequent, reliable and affordable buses. However, local authority control won’t guarantee success.

“This bill gives councils a choice of different ways to work with bus companies. Some may decide to introduce Manchester-style franchising, while others will choose alternative models to build on the success of commercial bus services which are flourishing in large parts of the country.

“But to truly put bus passengers first, the government needs to use next year’s Spending Review to back its ambitions with hard cash. That means adequate funding to support socially important bus routes across England, ending a postcode lottery of provision.

“It is also vital that measures are taken to tackle traffic congestion – including providing bus lanes and bus priority schemes – to allow buses to move more quickly, making them more attractive to the public and cheaper to run.”

Significant moment

David Sidebottom, director at the independent watchdog Transport Focus, described the Bill as a significant moment in the reform of bus services, saying it is vital passengers are at the heart of how the changes are implemented.

“For the government’s bus revolution to become a reality, operators and local authorities must now deliver on these basics better to drive further improvements and attract more people back onto buses” – David Sidebottom, director at Transport Focus

David said: “Protecting lifeline bus services, especially those which serve rural or deprived communities, is a welcome step.

“Passengers tell us in our survey they want their bus to turn up on time, without a long wait, and to reach their destination as set out in the timetable. For the government’s bus revolution to become a reality, operators and local authorities must now deliver on these basics better to drive further improvements and attract more people back onto buses.”

Reversing decades of decline

Bus workers’ union RMT has welcomed the government’s renewed focus on the importance of local bus services and its commitment to reversing what it describes as decades of decline in the sector.

However, the union has stressed the need for guaranteed long-term funding, public ownership options and strong protections for bus workers to ensure the plans deliver real improvements for communities and passengers.

The RMT says the issues of service cuts, rising fares and job losses have deepened since privatisation and deregulation in the 1980s.

RMT welcomed the proposed repeal of the ban on municipal bus companies. The union highlighted the potential for these models to create high-quality, affordable services while reinvesting profits into communities.

“To make this vision a success, it’s vital that councils are given long-term funding guarantees to expand and restore services” – RMT General Secretary, Mick Lynch

RMT General Secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “The Government’s recognition of the vital role local bus services play in our communities is an important step forward. Enabling local authorities to take greater control of their bus networks, including through public ownership, could help deliver the affordable and reliable services passengers need.

“To make this vision a success, it’s vital that councils are given long-term funding guarantees to expand and restore services. We also need strong protections for bus workers, with secure jobs, good pay, and fair pensions, to address the current recruitment and retention crisis.”