Ellie Ames 22 September 2023

Call for bus franchising powers for councils

Call for bus franchising powers for councils image
Image: Tupungato / Shutterstock.com.

Local authorities need more powers, including to introduce franchising, to end a 'spiral of decline' in bus service delivery, a new report has said.

The Local Government Association (LGA) and Urban Transport Group have called for legislation allowing all areas in England to have the same rights to introduce bus franchising as mayoral combined authorities.

Their report recommends simplifying the franchising process and lifting the ban in the Bus Services Act 2017 on councils setting up bus companies.

The Act gave authorities the ability to set up ‘enhanced partnership’ bus service agreements with operators and gave automatic franchising powers only to mayoral combined authorities.

This weekend, Greater Manchester will become the first city region outside London to run franchised bus services.

Director of the Urban Transport Group Jason Prince said that while the Bus Services Act was ‘a pioneering piece of legislation’ at the time, Greater Manchester’s experience has shown the process to be ‘unduly long and onerous’.

Mr Prince added: ‘If we really want to fulfil the ambitions of the National Bus Strategy – to truly transform bus services, it’s time to update the legislation, and this report provides recommendations for how to do so’.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Oxfordshire County Council
£62215 - £72293
How about joining The Clinical Team at Oxfordshire County Council in our new Community Family Clinic initiative? Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£16,415.00 - £16,675.23 Grade 4, 24.5 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£14,070.00 - £14,293.05 Grade 4, 21 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Recruitment Support Officer

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) pay award pending
We are looking for a Recruitment Support Officer to join our team on a temporary basis until 31 March 2026. In this role, you will provide a comprehe Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner