Found: As the Bus Services Bill passes into law, we will see local authorities increasingly asking themselves

Found: standards for bus stops or stations—something the Government plans to address through the Bus Services Bill

Found: standards for bus stops or stations—something the Government plans to address through the Bus Services Bill

Found: The bus services Bill that was introduced in December only proposes requiring local authorities to

Found: leaders will be empowered to choose the bus operating model that works for their area through the Bus Services Bill

Found: conclusion, Living Streets supports the Government’s efforts to improve bus services through the Bus Services Bill

Found: and social opportunities that they might otherwise have had access to.9 The measures in the Bus Services Bill

Found: Thus, the new Bus Services Bill introduced December 2024 does not of itself imply improved rural bus

Found: We introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill (‘Bus Services Bill’) to Parliament on 17 December 2024

Found: commenced in September using a statutory instrument and are being further developed through the Bus Services Bill

Found: As part of the Committee’s inquiry into the Bus Services Bill, we would welcome a particular focus on

Found: The proposed Bus Services Bill as it stands aims to ensure that socially necessary services are listed

Found: The reforms set out in the Bus Services Bill have the potential to help – but will require (DfT) assistance

Found: user groups to deliver the objectives set out within the Peninsula Transport Strategy and the Bus Services Bill

Found: implement fares and ticketing schemes than the net cost direct award powers included in the Bus Services Bill

Found: It is interesting to note that the Bus Services Bill includes a provision for defining and maintaining

Found: Whilst the Bus Services Bill includes a provision for defining and maintaining socially-necessary bus

Found: The revisions to Franchising guidance and the Bus Services Bill will be valuable tools to enable this

Found: , including the emerging Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS) and the government’s Bus Services Bill

Found: England will stick with Enhanced Partnerships.3 We therefore welcome a statutory duty in the Bus Services Bill

Found: The Government’s Bus Services Bill is welcome, and we outline some of its provisions as they affect

Found: This will also require consideration of the role of DRT within the Bus Services Bill, and ensuring

Found: The Bus Services Bill places a duty on LTAs to identify existing bus services which are socially necessary

Found: The requirement in the Bus Services Bill for local transport authorities to identify and monitor socially

Found: A similar proposal was included in the Private Members' Bill, the Bus Services Bill, recently introduced

Found: leaders will be empowered to choose the bus operating model that works for their area through the Bus Services Bill

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to encourage the use of electric vehicles in public transport.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department is working with our rail industry stakeholders to develop credible long-term plans for further decarbonisation, bearing in mind the railway is already such a carbon efficient mode of transport. We expect electrification to play an important role in our programme to achieve our Net Zero 2050 target, tackle air pollution, and improve the passenger experience.

Which rail lines will be electrified will broadly depend on the most suitable technological choice and value for money. All investment decisions require proper funding and are subject to current and future spending reviews and will be integrated with rolling stock decisions.

Expanding the rollout of zero emission buses (ZEBs) is central to our efforts to decarbonise the bus fleet and improve air quality.

The Bus Services Bill, currently going through Parliament, places a requirement on bus operators not to use new diesel buses on local bus routes in England. This will not take effect prior to 2030, giving time to the sector to plan a smooth transition.

The UK continues to make positive advancements in the deployment of ZEBs year-on-year. More than 50% of new buses registered in 2024 were zero-emission: a record 1,600, up 33% on the previous year’s record of 1,200.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve bus transport for people with hidden disabilities.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is committed to improving bus services right across the country, so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity, including people with hidden disabilities. On 1st October 2024, the first phase of the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 came into force, meaning that newer vehicles providing local services must provide accessible audible and visible information on stops, destinations and diversions. The majority of services will need to comply by October 2026.

On 17th December, the government introduced a new Bus Services Bill that will give local leaders the freedom to take decisions to deliver their local transport priorities and ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them, including for disabled people. The Bill includes measures to make the design of bus and coach stations and stops safer and more accessible, and sets requirements for training for staff on disability-assistance and disability awareness to ensure bus drivers and staff dealing directly with the travelling public are better informed of the rights and needs of disabled passengers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Bus Services Bill on passengers with disabilities in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is committed to improving public transport services so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. The Bus Services (No.2) Bill, which was introduced on 17 December, will give local leaders the freedom to take decisions to deliver their local transport priorities and ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them, including for disabled people.

The Bill includes measures to make the design of bus and coach stations and stops more inclusive, and sets requirements for training for staff on disability-assistance and disability-awareness to ensure bus drivers and staff dealing directly with the travelling public are better informed of the rights and needs of disabled passengers.

In addition to this, the Government announced in the budget that we will be investing over £1 billion to support and improve bus services. Lancashire County Council has been allocated over £27 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services. This funding can be used to improve services for passengers in whichever way they wish, including to improve access for disabled people.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to combat anti-social behaviour, particularly the playing of loud music on public transport.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government is committed to tackling all forms of anti-social behaviour (ASB) on public transport.

The British Transport Police enforce against it on the rail network and the 61016 reporting plays a key role in addressing ASB incidents and providing intelligence to target resources.

In addition, the government is funding five pilot schemes across England which are aimed at tackling ASB through the targeted deployment of Transport Safety Officers. The findings from these pilots will be shared with other local authorities to help them to address ASB on their public transport networks.

The Bus Services Bill aims to provide all local transport authorities with the powers to effectively enforce against ASB on their bus networks and improve safety for passengers. The Bill also seeks to mandate that staff are trained on how to recognise and respond to incidents of ASB on buses.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve public transportation options for children with special education needs and disabilities that are in further education.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

Local authorities are responsible for transport to education and training for 16-19 year olds. Post-16 transport guidance requires local authorities to make the necessary transport arrangements or provide financial support to ensure young people can participate in education or training. The needs of young people with SEND should be specifically considered and the arrangements put in place for each group must be documented in local authority transport policy statements.

In addition to their statutory responsibilities, many local authorities do offer some form of subsidised transport which, combined with the 16-19 bursary, has been intended to provide financial support to students from low-income households. These decisions are best made locally, in consideration of local needs, the resources available and other local circumstances.

With regard to public transport options more widely, the government wants everyone who needs it, including children and young people with SEND, to have access to public transport and is committed to improving services, so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity.

The government’s reforms to bus services typify this. On 17^th December, the government introduced a new Bus Services Bill that will give local leaders the freedom to take decisions to deliver their local transport priorities and ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them, including for disabled people. The Bill includes measures which will make bus travel more accessible and inclusive.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve the accessibility of bus services for disabled people in Lincolnshire.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government is committed to improving bus services right across the country, including in Lincolnshire, so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. On 1^st October 2024, the first phase of the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 came into force, meaning that newer vehicles providing local services must provide audible and visible information on stops, destinations and diversions. The majority of services will need to comply by October 2026.

On 17^th December, the government introduced a new Bus Services Bill that will give local leaders the freedom to take decisions to deliver their local transport priorities and ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them, including for disabled people. The Bill includes measures which will make bus travel more accessible and inclusive.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve bus services in rural areas.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government is committed to delivering better, more frequent and more reliable bus services for passengers. We have already made significant progress, introducing the Bus Services Bill to help give local leaders the powers they need to take control of their local services if they choose to do so, and announcing investment of over £1 billion to support and improve bus services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help improve local bus services.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government is committed to delivering better, more frequent and more reliable bus services for passengers. We have already made significant progress, introducing the Bus Services Bill to help give local leaders the powers they need to take control of their local services if they choose to do so, and announcing investment of over £1 billion to support and improve bus services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department issues guidance to local authorities on running good-quality bus stops.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport has published Local Transport Note (LTN) 1/24 Bus User Priority which provides guidance on good practice in the design of bus stops. The Department has also published guidance to Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) and bus operators on developing Bus Service Improvement Plans. This guidance encourages all LTAs to set priorities for improving their bus stops, stations and interchanges.

On 17th December 2024, the Government introduced a new Bus Services Bill that will give local leaders the freedom to take decisions to deliver their local transport priorities and ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them. The Bill will provide powers for the Secretary of State to issue statutory guidance on the inclusivity of the design of bus and coach stations and stops, and to require authorities commissioning work to provide new or upgrade existing facilities to have due regard to this guidance.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help improve accessibility for disabled passengers on public transport in Forest of Dean constituency.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government is committed to improving public transport services so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. On 1st October 2024, the first phase of the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 came into force, meaning that newer vehicles providing local services must provide audible and visible information on stops, destinations and diversions. The majority of services will need to comply by October 2026.

On 17th December, the government introduced a new Bus Services Bill that will give local leaders the freedom to take decisions to deliver their local transport priorities and ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them, including for disabled people. The Bill includes measures which will make bus travel more accessible and inclusive.

Ensuring the rail network is also accessible is at the heart of our passenger-focused approach to improving rail services. We know that the experience for disabled people when traveling by rail too often falls short of what is expected and what passengers deserve. We are committed to improving the experience for disabled passengers and have committed to publishing an accessibility roadmap to explain the actions we are taking to improve accessibility ahead of Great British Rail.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve the accessibility of bus services for disabled people in Stoke-on-Trent.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government is committed to improving public transport services so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. On 1st October 2024, the first phase of the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 came into force, meaning that newer vehicles providing local services must provide audible and visible information on stops, destinations and diversions. The majority of services will need to comply by October 2026.

On 17th December, the government introduced a new Bus Services Bill that will give local leaders the freedom to take decisions to deliver their local transport priorities and ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them, including for disabled people. The Bill includes measures which will make bus travel more accessible and inclusive.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle changes in average bus speeds.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government is committed to working with local transport authorities and the bus sector to deliver better, more reliable services for passengers.

At the Budget, the government confirmed over £1 billion in funding to improve bus services, protect vital routes and keep fares down. This includes over £700 million allocated to local councils to deliver bus service improvement plans (BSIPs). Councils can use the funding in whichever way they wish to improve bus services for all passengers, including investing in infrastructure or bus priority schemes to help reduce journey times.

We introduced the Bus Services Bill on 17 December, which will give local leaders the powers they need and the freedom to take decisions to deliver their local transport priorities and ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure bus travel is accessible for people with disabilities.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government wants everyone to have access to public transport and is   committed to improving services so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. On October 1st, the first phase of the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 came into force, meaning that newer vehicles providing local services must provide audible and visible information on stops, destinations and diversions. The majority of services will need to comply by October 2026.

The government will also shortly introduce a new Bus Services Bill that will give local leaders the freedom to take decisions to deliver their local transport priorities and ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them, including disabled people.

Found: undertaking regulated 1 This bill is entitled the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill as a separate Bus Services Bill

Found: undertaking regulated 1 This bill is entitled the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill as a separate Bus Services Bill

Found: IA number: section RPC reference number: Contact for enquiries: Date: Bus Services Bill

Found: Bus Services Bill [AS INTRODUCED] CONTENTS 1 Bus services: duty of Secretary of State 2 Extent

Found: Walters, to understand elements of the learner driver test £1 billion investment and incoming Bus Services Bill

Found: It comes ahead of the hotly anticipated Bus Services Bill which will transform the bus industry by giving

Found: Our Bus Services Bill is currently passing through Parliament and will hand power back to local authorities

Found: Bus Services Bill introduced today will give local authorities control over routes, timetables, connections

Found: the English Devolution White Paper, led by my colleague the Deputy Prime Minister… Through our Bus Services Bill

Found: deliver cleaner heat to homes 32 Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024 33 Bus Services Bill

Found: deliver cleaner heat to homes 32 Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024 33 Bus Services Bill

Found: Bus Services (No.2) Bill Lead department Department for Transport Summary of proposal The Bus Services Bill

Found: Government | St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, EDINBURGH EH1 3DG Extract of Note on the UK Bus Services Bill