{"id":1371,"date":"2016-10-18T15:46:36","date_gmt":"2016-10-18T14:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/discover.pjb.co.uk\/?p=1371"},"modified":"2017-05-03T06:38:11","modified_gmt":"2017-05-03T05:38:11","slug":"uk-bus-services-bill-guide-passes-parliament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/discover.pjb.co.uk\/index.php\/2016\/10\/18\/uk-bus-services-bill-guide-passes-parliament\/","title":{"rendered":"UK Bus Services Bill – a guide as it passes through Parliament"},"content":{"rendered":"

Update: 3 May 2017\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0The Bill has\u00a0now become law and known as the Bus Services Act on 27 April 2017 More Information here<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The Bus Services Bill is currently being debated by the UK parliament and if successful will become law by May 2017 – in England only. But what does it mean for the future of Bus Services, particularly in rural areas?<\/p>\n

The Department for Transport<\/a><\/span> has issued a summary document<\/a><\/span> that explains\u00a0how it is intended to work in practice.<\/p>\n

\"bus-services-bill-summary-1\"<\/p>\n

\"bus-services-bill-summary-2\"<\/p>\n

It points out that buses are England\u2019s most used form of public transport accounting for over 60% of all public transport trips, and with over 4.65 billion passenger journeys completed in 2014\/15.\u00a0Since 2004\/05, bus use in England outside London has only increased by 2% whereas it has grown dramatically in London, rising by 31% since 2004\/05.<\/p>\n

Passenger satisfaction levels are at 86%, but passengers still identify room for improvement in areas:-<\/p>\n

\"bus-improvement-needed\"<\/p>\n

What does the Bill do?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Central Government sees that its role is to provide local authorities and bus operators with the tools they need to improve local bus services and get more people on to buses.\u00a0So it aims that the Bill will expand the range of tools available by introducing new powers and improving the approaches that are\u00a0currently available.<\/p>\n

Partnerships<\/span><\/h3>\n

New Enhanced Partnership powers will enable local authorities to work with bus operators to set a vision for bus services in their area and a plan to help achieve those improvements.<\/p>\n

\"partnerships-bus-services-bill\"<\/p>\n

Franchising<\/span><\/h3>\n

New franchising powers will replace the existing Quality Contract Scheme powers. The new franchising powers will allow local authorities to take control of their local bus services, like the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). \u00a0(See DfT Information Sheet on Bus Services Franchising.<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\"franchising-bus-services-bill\"<\/p>\n

Note:<\/span><\/strong> The House of Lords widened the\u00a0franchising powers to all local transport authorities not just Mayoral combined authorities. It remains to be seen whether the House of Commons will accept or reject this amendment to the Bill. (14 October 2016).<\/span><\/p>\n

Open data and ticketing<\/span><\/h3>\n

These new powers will make it easier for passengers to use buses and to access timetables, fares, routes, the location of services and the arrival time of services. By integrating this new approach with bus registration it will strip out duplication and streamline processes.<\/p>\n

\"open-data-and-ticketing\"<\/p>\n

Other improvements<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Bill implements a competition recommendation in relation to the bus registration process to give local authorities powers to:<\/p>\n