Recommendation 13

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)