The transport Secretary is to announce legislation that’ll allow more publicly controlled bus networks to be set up in same way as in Greater Manchester
Louise Haigh will lay a statutory instrument to extend powers to run bus services from metro mayors to all local authorities.
The new Buses Bill, which will follow this first statutory instrument, will bring an end to the current postcode lottery by taking steps to improve bus services no matter where you live says the Government adding
“Buses remain the most used form of public transport across the country, but – after almost 4 decades of failed deregulation – vital services have been slashed and there is little accountability to passengers.”
Since 2010, almost 300 million fewer miles have been driven by buses per year. The transformative work the government is doing will turn the tide by giving communities the opportunity to control local bus services and have a real say in building local transport networks that work for them.
The new powers mean local transport authorities will now be able to emulate the huge success of publicly controlled buses in Greater Manchester and London.
Greater Manchester’s successful Bee Network has already seen passenger numbers grow by 5% since public control began to be rolled out just a year ago.
