Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of amending the Bus Services Act 2017 to permit local councils to operate bus companies directly.
The Bus Services Act 2017 does not permit local authorities to establish a municipal bus company as part of a bus franchising proposal.
We believe the Act offers the flexibility for local authorities and their local bus operators to reach agreement on how to deliver the best bus services that meet passengers’ needs.