Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Better Buses Bill will regulate the prices paid by (a) mayoral, (b) combined and (c) local authorities to purchase bus (i) fleets and (ii) depots from private operators.

As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will introduce a Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England. The Bill aims to ensure networks can meet the needs of the communities who rely on them and encourage passengers back onto buses. The Department is currently working at pace to consider and determine the exact scope of the Buses Bill.