All communities to get access to bus franchising

09/09/2024 |

Legislation is being laid before parliament today to give all local transport authorities (LTAs) across England access to new powers to run their own bus services.

Under the current law (Bus Services Act 2017), LTAs hoping to secure bus franchising first need the Government to 'switch on' access to the powers, as only mayoral combined authorities had automatic access.

Then the transport secretary must give consent to any individual authority to prepare a franchising assessment.

The statutory instrument laid before parliament today enacts the initial stage of the franchising process for all types of LTAs, 'ensuring that in future they only need to obtain the transport secretary's consent to prepare a franchising scheme assessment'.

Later in the Parliamentary session, the Department for Transport (DfT) plans to bring forward a Bus Bill, which will; include 'a measure to remove SoS [secretary of state] consent provisions for non-MCA/MCCAs to access franchising powers (the second stage of the 2-stage process) as this change can only be achieved via primary legislation'.

Alongside the new statutory instrument, the Government has also launched a consultation on draft guidance to streamline the franchising process.

Section 4 of the draft guidance sets out how the secretary of state consent process will work. The secretary of state will take account of the following:

'that the LTA has a clear vision for improving buses – and what this is

  • that the LTA has identified the kind of franchising it wants to pursue - see discussion of some potential options at Section 17
  • that the LTA has a plan for how it intends to develop the franchising assessment and has identified, after discussion with DfT officials what support is required from DfT
  • that a particular office holder (for example the Leader of the Council or the portfolio holder for transport) is responsible for the development of the scheme.'

The new guidance will also reform the process for preparing a franchising assessment by proposing a new approach to the 'do nothing' option that must be considered.

To avoid being bogged down in renegotiations with bus operators, LTAs 'will only need to consider the currently available enhanced partnership and the franchising option in the franchising assessment'.

LTAs may still choose to explore more options, but do not need to do so.

The guidance proposes a three-month period following publication of a notice of intention to prepare a franchising assessment, during which LTAs and bus operators should agree any amendments to their enhanced partnership, for inclusion in the do nothing scenario. An extension to this period requires the agreement of the LTA.

The DfT said: 'All LTAs in England have now either implemented an enhanced partnership or are preparing a franchising business case. This means that in the preparation of the business case, the do nothing option is no longer a deregulated market, but rather an enhanced partnership.'

The draft plans also add a new section to the guidance that would allow LTAs to consider driver welfare and passenger safety, including anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls, when considering the franchising case.

Transport secretary Louise Haigh said: 'Today is the first stop on our journey to delivering better buses across the country. 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. With local communities firmly back in the driving seat, our bus revolution will save vital routes up and down the country and put passengers first.'

Jason Prince, director of the Urban Transport Group, said: 'We welcome the pace at which government is moving on its ambitious transport agenda. Buses are the cornerstone of our public transport system, so it’s greatly encouraging to see this new package of measures, which will deliver better bus services for more local areas.'

London has had bus franchising powers for decades and avoided the decline in services and mileage seen elsewhere in England.

Greater Manchester was the first LTA to use the powers granted in the Bus Services Act to deliver a bus franchising scheme, with the first services launching in September 2023.

The city has reported a 5% growth in patronage in its first franchised area in the six months from December 2023 to June 2024.

The upcoming Buses Bill will also reverse the ban on setting up new publicly-owned bus companies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Highways Supervisor

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a permanent Highways Supervisor Forfar, Angus
Recruiter: Amey

Tree Surveyor

£Competitive
We are excited to offer fantastic opportunities for Permanent Tree Surveyors Scotland
Recruiter: Amey

Chief Operating Officer – South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee

£Competitive
We’re looking for a bold, visionary leader to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer Carmarthenshire (Sir Gaerfyrddin)
Recruiter: Carmarthenshire County Council

Clerk of Works - Highways

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Clerk of Works to join our dynamic NMC SW Account team at Polmadie. Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Supervisor

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a permanent Highways Supervisor to join our NMC NE account in Kinross. Perth and Kinross
Recruiter: Amey

Planner - Highways

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for Permanent Planner – Highways to join our NMC SW Account. Glasgow City
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Manager

£51,356 - £55,539 per annum
We are looking for an experienced Engineer to join the team as a Highways Maintenance Manager Selby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Maintenance Manager

£51,356- £55,539 per annum
We are looking for an experienced Engineer to join the team as a Highways Maintenance Manager Brompton on Swale, Richmond
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Permit Officer - Internal works promoter - WMF2244e

£34,434 - £35,412
The streetworks Permit Officer role within the highways service Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Development Management Engineer

£41,816 - £45,175
You will be based in the Highways Development Team and work closely with colleagues across the wider transport service. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: West Northamptonshire Council

Transport Project Officer

£34,203 - £37,067
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated project officer to work in our Highways and Transport Service. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: West Northamptonshire Council

Engineer - Structures

£40,777 - £44,075
Join the successful Structures team, and become a vital team member Broad Lane Office, Yate
Recruiter: South Gloucestershire Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2251e

£26,403 - £26,824
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Traffic Management Technician WMF2256e

£34,434 to £35,412 (pay award pending)
Westmorland and Furness Council is looking for three experienced and motivated individuals Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Bridge Technician - WMF2257e

£34,434 - £35,412
We are currently seeking to recruit a Senior Bridge Technician to join our Bridges and Structures team. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Network Officer WMF2263e

£38,220 - £39,152
In this role, you will assist in leading the South Lakes Area Highways team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF2240e

£28,598 - £29,540
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a committed and technically capable individual to join our Traffic Management Team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Structures Inspector

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for two Permanent Structure Inspectors to join our dynamic SBIM team Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Site Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Site Manager Bristol
Recruiter: Amey
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW