Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
50th Report - Local bus services in England
Public Accounts Committee
HC 892
Published 29 October 2025
Conclusions (2)
17
Conclusion
Not Addressed
The Department of Transport is encouraging more local transport authorities to consider franchising their bus services. Franchising, whereby local transport authorities take on more responsibility for bus services and award contracts to private operators, gives local transport authorities more control over bus services, for example, to decide routes and fares. …
Government Response Summary
This item is a conclusion but the response addresses the recommendation 4, as the conclusion is linked to the recommendation. The Department is committed to supporting local transport authorities to deliver better bus services and share learnings, including through the Bus Centre of Excellence, shared guidance and advice, a handbook and toolkit, active support and funding to local transport authorities exploring franchising, and updated guidance with actionable steps for Enhanced Partnerships, including an EP Manual.
19
Conclusion
Not Addressed
We asked the Department whether local transport authorities had sufficient information to know what the right delivery model is for their local area.42 The Department said its role is to help local authorities understand the options and acknowledged that many local areas do not currently have the capacity and capability …
Government Response Summary
This item is a conclusion but the response addresses the recommendation 4, as the conclusion is linked to the recommendation. The Department is committed to supporting local transport authorities to deliver better bus services and share learnings, including through the Bus Centre of Excellence, shared guidance and advice, a handbook and toolkit, active support and funding to local transport authorities exploring franchising, and updated guidance with actionable steps for Enhanced Partnerships, including an EP Manual.