Select committee: Transport Committee
Conclusion 16
Fourth Report - Implementation of the National Bus Strategy
Published 30 Mar 2023
Paragraph 115
Addressed to Department for Transport
Transport Committee National bus strategy: one year on All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
For too many years the story of buses in England outside London has been one of managed decline. The publication of the National Bus Strategy represented an opportunity to change that. It was ambitious, full of good ideas and supported by extra much-needed funding. So far, though, despite lots of positive rhetoric and some welcome action, the promised transformation has not been achieved. We believe it is still possible, but that will require the Government to maintain its focus on buses rather than letting its attention drift away.
From: Transport Committee, Fourth Report - Implementation of the National Bus Strategy (HC 161), paragraph 115, 30 March 2023
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 22 June 2023 (deadline 30 May 2023).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government's response welcomes the report and states that it is "absolutely committed to delivering the aims of the National Bus Strategy", with recommendations variously accepted, partially accepted or noted.
- On Enhanced Partnerships (Recommendation 2), it "accepts this recommendation" and says it is working with local transport authorities and operators "to monitor how well they are working".
- On guidance and municipal bus companies (Recommendation 3), it accepts the recommendations on franchising and municipal companies and partially accepts the one on socially and economically necessary services, planning to publish new guidance "during this Parliament".
- On zero-emission buses (Recommendation 4), it "partially accepts", says it will "shortly make an announcement on the end of sales date", and says it will "explore any future innovation with an open mind" on synthetic fuels.
- On Bus Service Operators Grant reform (Recommendation 5), it "partially accepts" and will publish a consultation "later this year", but says it "cannot confirm the exact content of the reformed BSOG" until evidence is analysed.