Recommendation 8

The Government made various commitments in the National Bus Strategy that we welcomed, as did many in the bus sector. It said it would provide new guidance on socially and economically necessary services and on bus franchising. It also suggested it would consider introducing a statutory requirement on local authorities to provide services deemed socially or economically necessary and look again at the ban on new municipal bus companies. Two years on, none of these things have happened and the long-term security of many bus routes that are vital for communities remains uncertain. The Minister told us to expect announcements in late 2022, but we were disappointed. While we accept the last two years has been a busy time for the Department, we urge the Government to put its promises into action. (Paragraph 77) Zero-emission buses