Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer to Question 39527, (a) for what reasons and (b) what the evidential basis is for the decision that the commissioning and provision of bus services should be kept separate.

Government wants to see the bus industry thrive, and considers that commercial bus operators, working closely with local authorities using the new tools that are proposed to be provided through the Bus Services Bill, are best placed to deliver better services for passengers.

Supporting evidence of direct relevance is not available given the de-regulated nature of the English bus market, and the fact that legislation does not currently provide local authorities with the range of opportunities to influence local bus service provision that the Bus Services Bill envisages.