Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Acknowledged
Mandate local authorities publish methodology and develop common standards for socially necessary services.
Conclusion
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)
Government Response 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.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We will therefore set this out clearly in the next substantive revision of the franchising guidance. This approach ensures both clarity for LTAs and flexibility to reflect local circumstances, while making clear the robust legislative and regulatory framework that already applies.