Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason bus companies are not obliged to give compensation for delayed and cancelled services in the same way as rail companies.

The National Bus Strategy published in March last year stated that Local Transport Authorities must include a passengers’ charter giving bus users rights to certain standards of service in their Bus Service Improvement Plans. Delays to bus services are sometimes outside of the control of the bus operator for reasons such as traffic congestion, but passengers have a right to expect a certain level of service. The Strategy was clear that there should be mechanisms for passenger redress at a local level and means to ensure that service standards are met. It also set out that there will be consultation on the appropriate standards and mechanisms for enforcement, which will be taken forward in due course.