The government has announced a package of measures to give local leaders across England greater control over bus services, marking the first step toward improving public transport nationwide.
New legislation, introduced in Parliament on the 9th of September, will grant local transport authorities throughout the country the power to manage their own bus services. The move will enable local leaders to tailor services to meet the specific needs of their communities.
As part of the initiative, the government launched draft guidance designed to reduce the costs and complexities of taking control of bus services, helping authorities implement changes more efficiently. It will also focus on improving the safety and welfare of both passengers and bus drivers.
It comes after the success of the publicly controlled bus networks in Greater Manchester and London. Greater Manchester’s Bee Network, for example, has already seen a 5% increase in passenger numbers since coming under public control a year ago.
The proposed reforms will culminate in a new Buses Bill, which aims to standardise services nationwide. Louise Haigh, transport secretary, said: “Buses are the lifeblood of our communities, but for too many people, it has become impossible to rely on local services.
“Today is the first stop on our journey to delivering better buses. After decades of failed deregulation, local leaders will finally have the powers to provide services that deliver for passengers. And we are taking steps to support local leaders to deliver improved bus services faster and cheaper than ever before.”
Buses remain the most popular form of public transport in the UK, but service levels have significantly declined in recent decades. Since 2010, the number of miles driven by buses has fallen by 300 million, highlighting the need for urgent reform.
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