Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
50th Report - Local bus services in England
Public Accounts Committee
HC 892
Published 29 October 2025
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Fiftieth report from Session 2024-26 · published 19 Jan 2026
Recommendations & Conclusions
17
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Bus franchising requires significant time and cost, considerably exceeding Departmental estimates.
Conclusion
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 …
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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.
HM Treasury
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19
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Local transport authorities lack capacity and capability for bus franchising models.
Conclusion
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 …
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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.
HM Treasury
View Details →