Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the capacity of Local Transport Authorities to implement the new bylaw-making and enforcement powers introduced in the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill.

The Department introduced the byelaws measure into the Bus Services (No.2) Bill following engagement with Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) and will continue to draw on their expertise to shape subsequent guidance after the Bill receives Royal Assent.

The byelaws provisions aim to reduce administrative burdens on LTAs, give them greater flexibility and make it easier for LTAs to prevent behaviours such as vaping, smoking, causing a nuisance, and obstructing services.

The Bill aligns powers on buses with those already in place for light and heavy rail, enabling LTAs to authorise their officers to enforce these rules directly.