Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
12
Conclusion
3rd Report – Buses connecting communiti…
Acknowledged
The Department should mandate local transport authorities to publish a transparent methodology for how they determine which bus services qualify as socially necessary, to ensure public accountability. The Department should also develop common standards, and guidance, which the local formulas should take into account. This would enable residents to verify, …
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The Department should mandate local transport authorities to publish a transparent methodology for how they determine which bus services qualify as socially necessary, to ensure public accountability. The Department should also develop common standards, and guidance, which the local formulas should take into account. This would enable residents to verify, for example, whether lists are based on objective assessments of need rather than being a response to the campaigning power of particular communities. (Recommendation, Paragraph 53)
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Government response AI summary
The government stated it would clarify aspects related to socially necessary services in the next revision of the franchising guidance, but did not explicitly commit to mandating LTAs to publish transparent methodologies or developing overarching common standards for these assessments.
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Department for Transport
13
Conclusion
3rd Report – Buses connecting communiti…
Acknowledged
The proposed statutory duty on local transport authorities to list socially necessary services applies only to those already in operation. There is no statutory requirement in the Bus Services (No.2) Bill for authorities to assess unmet needs or identify where new services might be required, although they may do so …
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The proposed statutory duty on local transport authorities to list socially necessary services applies only to those already in operation. There is no statutory requirement in the Bus Services (No.2) Bill for authorities to assess unmet needs or identify where new services might be required, although they may do so voluntarily. This creates a risk that gaps in provision are left unaddressed, particularly in rural and under-served areas. Without clear expectations or support for service expansion, the system risks locking in existing patterns of decline. (Conclusion, Paragraph 55)
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the vision to grow patronage and improve services, stating that local authorities are already expected to set out their vision in BSIPs and are supported with funding for new services. It acknowledges challenges and commits to working with LTAs to improve …
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Department for Transport
22
Conclusion
3rd Report – Buses connecting communiti…
Acknowledged
The Government’s franchising reforms offer a clear opportunity to embed stronger and fairer employment practices across the sector. Better pay, fair progression, and stable conditions are not only essential for retaining drivers but are also critical to maintaining reliable and high-quality bus services. Without addressing these workforce issues, the wider …
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The Government’s franchising reforms offer a clear opportunity to embed stronger and fairer employment practices across the sector. Better pay, fair progression, and stable conditions are not only essential for retaining drivers but are also critical to maintaining reliable and high-quality bus services. Without addressing these workforce issues, the wider goals of reform risk being undermined. (Conclusion, Paragraph 81)
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Government response AI summary
The government states that robust legislation (TUPE) already safeguards employees during franchising transitions and that franchising authorities can already include expectations for staff pay and conditions in contracts. Updated franchising guidance will address contractual matters following consultation.
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Department for Transport
23
Recommendation
3rd Report – Buses connecting communiti…
Acknowledged
The Department should consider the practicalities of requiring local transport authorities which adopt bus franchising to incorporate improved employment standards for bus workers. This should include minimum pay rates—based on the London model—and fair pay progression based on a driver’s experience rather than their length of service with a specific …
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The Department should consider the practicalities of requiring local transport authorities which adopt bus franchising to incorporate improved employment standards for bus workers. This should include minimum pay rates—based on the London model—and fair pay progression based on a driver’s experience rather than their length of service with a specific operator. This would help to avoid the risk that operators bidding for franchises base their bids on unsustainably poor pay and conditions for staff. (Recommendation, Paragraph 82) Bus fares and concessions
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Government response AI summary
The government states that robust legislation (TUPE) already safeguards employees during franchising transitions and that franchising authorities can already include expectations for staff pay and conditions in contracts. Updated franchising guidance will address contractual matters following consultation.
Read full response →
Department for Transport
31
Recommendation
3rd Report – Buses connecting communiti…
Acknowledged
We welcome the Government’s reforms aimed at devolving greater control to local authorities. This will not on its own, however, be a sufficient vehicle for delivering all the positive outcomes the Minister described as wanting for bus services. There is no consensus that structural reform alone can achieve aims such …
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We welcome the Government’s reforms aimed at devolving greater control to local authorities. This will not on its own, however, be a sufficient vehicle for delivering all the positive outcomes the Minister described as wanting for bus services. There is no consensus that structural reform alone can achieve aims such as increased connectivity, better integration, and more affordable journeys. Given the diversity of regional and local priorities, a national statement of strategic goals is needed to provide clear direction and coherence, setting out not only the Government’s ambitions for the bus network, but also the pathway for achieving them. Without this, the risk remains that delivery will be uneven and the wider policy aims of reform left unmet. (Conclusion, Paragraph 116)
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Government response AI summary
The government states it will consider future opportunities to outline its policy and vision for local bus services, and reiterates its existing vision for an attractive, accessible, and well-used bus service. It does not commit to creating a new national statement of strategic goals with …
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Department for Transport
32
Recommendation
3rd Report – Buses connecting communiti…
Acknowledged
The Government should within 18 months publish a new national policy for buses that sets out a clear vision for what a successful bus network looks like and what it should achieve. It should outline how buses interact 52 with policy objectives such as supporting economic growth, encouraging modal shift, …
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The Government should within 18 months publish a new national policy for buses that sets out a clear vision for what a successful bus network looks like and what it should achieve. It should outline how buses interact 52 with policy objectives such as supporting economic growth, encouraging modal shift, improving affordability, reducing environmental impact and tackling regional disparity in network provision. It should provide a basis for renewal of bus services in England and transformative growth in ridership. (Recommendation, Paragraph 117)
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Government response AI summary
The government states it will consider future opportunities to outline its policy and vision for bus services and describes its existing vision to grow usage and improve services through local empowerment and investment, without committing to publishing a new national policy within 18 months.
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Department for Transport