The Bus Services Bill [HL] seeks to “expand the range of tools available” to directly elected mayors and local transport authorities (LTAs) in areas in England outside of London to improve local bus services. The Government has said that the Bill would:
- Give elected mayors and LTAs “the power to improve bus services for the people who use them”.
- Provide directly elected mayors with “London-style powers to franchise local services”.
- Make available to app developers data about routes, fares and times across the country to give “passengers better information about how to make the most of local bus services”.
The Bill makes provision in the following areas:
- Partnerships (clauses 1 to 3 and 9 to 15)
- Bus franchising (clauses 4 to 6)
- Ticketing improvements (clauses 7 to 8)
- Bus registration and open data (clauses 16 to 20)
The Bill is an enabling bill and extends to England and Wales, although it is intended to apply only to areas in England outside of London. The Explanatory Notes state that the “Government would not mandate which approach is to be taken, encouraging LTAs to pursue the most suitable solution for their area”. Several clauses in the Bill include provisions that would allow the Secretary of State to make regulations or guidance. The Government has confirmed that while the Bill is progressing through Parliament it will consult on, and aim to finalise, any such draft regulations and guidance.
The Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 19 May 2016 and is scheduled to receive its second reading on 8 June 2016.