Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following their announcement on 9 September of the extension of bus franchising powers to local authorities, what steps they are taking to support and ensure that local authorities explore all franchising options, including (1) demand responsive transport, and (2) cross-boundary services.

The government has set out a plan to improve bus services based on giving local leaders the tools they need to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities they serve, including how demand responsive transport and cross-boundary bus routes can improve the experience for bus passengers.

On 9 September, the government laid a Statutory Instrument to open up bus franchising to all local transport authorities (LTAs). It also published a consultation on proposed updates to bus franchising guidance. These measures will speed up and lower the cost of franchising for LTAs. This Government will also bring forward a Buses Bill later in this parliamentary session which will remove the ban on the creation of local authority owned bus companies. This would give LTAs the option to improve connectivity for their passengers by, for example, potentially increasing services that run across local authority boundaries.

The government is also building capacity within the Department for Transport to provide practical support to LTAs throughout the process of delivering public control of buses.