Bus Services Act 2025
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
In section 123A (franchising schemes), for subsection (4) substitute—
In section 123C (Secretary of State consent to franchising and notice requirements)—
omit subsections (1) to (3);
in subsection (4), for “the authority” substitute “a franchising authority”;
for the heading substitute “Notice of assessment”.
In section 143A (power of franchising authorities to obtain information) omit subsection (5).
In section 160(2) and (2A) (regulations and orders) omit “123A(4),”.
In section 123H of the Transport Act 2000 (making and publication of scheme), after subsection (2) insert—
In section 123H of the Transport Act 2000 (making and publication of scheme), after subsection (2A) (inserted by section 2 of this Act) insert—
Subsection (3) applies where, before this section comes into force—
a franchising authority or authorities has published a consultation document under section 123E(2) of the Transport Act 2000 relating to a proposed franchising scheme, but
the scheme has not been made in pursuance of the consultation document.
Where this subsection applies the franchising authority or authorities may, when making the scheme in pursuance of the consultation document, specify local services in any way mentioned in section 123H(2B) of the Transport Act 2000 (inserted by subsection (1) of this section), whether or not the services so specified were included in the description contained in the consultation document as required by section 123F(1)(c) of that Act.
Part 3 of Schedule 9A to the Transport Act 2000 (inserted by the Schedule to this Act) does not apply in relation to a variation of an existing franchising scheme if—
the only variation is of the local services specified under section 123H(2)(b) of that Act in the scheme, and
the variation is to have effect before the end of the period of 2 years beginning with the day on which this section comes into force.
An “existing franchising scheme” is a franchising scheme made before this section comes into force.
In section 123H of the Transport Act 2000 (making and publication of scheme) omit subsection (4).
Subsection (3) applies where, before this section comes into force—
a franchising authority or authorities has published a consultation document under section 123E(2) of the Transport Act 2000 relating to a proposed franchising scheme or a variation of such a scheme, but
the scheme has not been made or varied in pursuance of the consultation document.
Where this subsection applies the franchising authority or authorities may, when making or varying the scheme in pursuance of the consultation document, specify a minimum period under section 123H(2)(d) or (3)(c) which is less than six months.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
In section 123E(4)(a)(consultation), after “local services” insert “which have one or more stopping places”.
In section 123N(2)(a) (revocation), after “local services” insert “which have one or more stopping places”.
In section 123Q(5)(a) (application for service permit), after “local services” insert “which have one or more stopping places”.
In section 123R(5)(a) (conditions), after “local services” insert “which have one or more stopping places”.
Section 123Q of the Transport Act 2000 (application for service permit) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (4).
After subsection (5) insert—
In subsection (6), for “if they are not satisfied as to the matters in subsection (5)(a) and (b)” substitute “except under subsection (5), (5A) or (5B)”.
After subsection (7) insert—
In section 123S(2) of that Act (revocation and suspension)—
in paragraph (a), for “that a matter in section 123Q(5)(a) or (b)” substitute “if the permit was granted under subsection (5) of section 123Q, that a matter in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection”;
after that paragraph insert—.
The amendments made by this section apply only in relation to applications for a service permit made on or after the date on which this section comes into force.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
In section 123J (effect of local service contracts: registration requirements and provision of services), after subsection (4) insert—
In section 123P (service permits), after subsection (2) insert—
After section 123P insert—
In section 123S (revocation and suspension), after subsection (2) insert—
In section 123V(1) (transitional provision about schemes), after paragraph (b) insert—.
Section 123J of the Transport Act 2000 (effect of local service contracts: registration requirements and provision of services) is amended as follows.
In subsection (5)—
omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (a);
at the end of paragraph (b) insert , or
After subsection (7) insert—
Section 123D of the Transport Act 2000 (audit) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (8).
For subsection (1) substitute—
In subsection (2)—
omit “auditor’s”;
for “auditor” substitute “approved person”;
in paragraph (a), for “123B(3)(d) or (e)” substitute “123B(3)(d) and (e)”.
For subsection (3) substitute—
In subsection (5), for “auditor” substitute “approved person”.
In subsection (6), for “Auditors” substitute “Approved persons”.
For subsections (7) and (8) substitute—
For the heading substitute “Report on assessment of proposed scheme”.
In section 123E of that Act (consultation)—
in subsection (1), for “an auditor’s” substitute “a”;
in subsection (2)(c) omit “auditor’s”.
The amendments made by this section do not apply in relation to an appointment of a person as an auditor, in relation to a proposed franchising scheme, before this section comes into force.
In section 123E(4) of the Transport Act 2000 (consultation), after paragraph (d) insert—.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
In section 123M (variation of scheme)—
in subsection (3), after “date” insert “or dates”;
omit subsection (4);
in subsection (7), for “to (6)” substitute “to (6A) and Schedule 9A”;
omit subsections (8) and (9).
After section 123M insert—
The Schedule inserts new Schedule 9A into the Transport Act 2000.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
In section 123B (assessment)—
for subsection (3)(b) substitute—, and
in subsection (7)—
omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (b), and
after that paragraph insert—.
In section 123E (consultation)—
in subsection (4), after paragraph (da) (inserted by section 10) insert—, and
in subsection (5)—
omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (e), and
after that paragraph insert—.
In section 162(1) (interpretation of Part 2), at the appropriate place insert—.
The Public Service Obligations in Transport Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1369) are amended as follows.
After regulation 16 insert—
In regulation 9 (duration of public service contracts)—
in paragraph (1)(c), after “under” insert “regulation 16A (direct award of bus contracts to incumbent operators) or”;
in paragraph (4), after “measures)” insert “, regulation 16A (direct award of bus contracts to incumbent operators)”.
In regulation 22(3)(b) (pre-award publication), at the end insert “or regulation 16A (direct award of bus contracts to incumbent operators)”.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).
In section 138A (enhanced partnership plans and schemes)—
in subsection (3), after paragraph (b) insert—;
after subsection (4) insert—;
after subsection (14) insert—
In section 138C (requirements in respect of local services), after subsection (9) insert—
The local transport authority or authorities to whose area or combined area, or part of it, an enhanced partnership relates on the day on which this section comes into force (“the commencement day”) must, before the end of the period of one year beginning with that day—
vary the plan in accordance with subsection (3) of section 138K of the Transport Act 2000 so that it identifies which of the services provided in the area are socially necessary local services, and
vary, in accordance with that subsection, each enhanced partnership scheme which, on the commencement day, relates to the whole or part of the area to which the plan relates so that section 138C(9A) of that Act is satisfied in relation to the scheme.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
In section 138A(6)(b) (contents of schemes), for the words from “routes in” to “local services” substitute “local services in the whole or part of that area”.
In section 138D(2)(a) (measures specified in scheme), omit “serving the routes” (in both places).
In section 138C of the Transport Act 2000 (requirements in respect of local services), for subsection (9) substitute—
After section 138K of the Transport Act 2000 insert—
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
After section 138C (requirements in respect of local services) insert—
In section 138F(6) (consultation), after paragraph (b) insert—.
In section 138K (variation), after subsection (8) insert—
In section 138A(5)(b) (requirements which may be specified in enhanced partnership schemes), for “section 138C” substitute “sections 138C and 138CA”.
The Transport Act 2000 is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (6).
In section 138F (preparation, notice and consultation)—
for subsection (2)(c) substitute—;
after subsection (4) insert—;
in subsection (5), for “period for objections stated in the notice under subsection (1)(c)” substitute “objection period”.
In section 138G (making of plans and schemes)—
for subsection (3)(c) substitute—;
after subsection (3) insert—;
in subsection (4), for “period for objections stated in the notice under subsection (2)” substitute “objection period”.
In section 138L (variation: preparation, notice and consultation)—
for subsection (2)(c) substitute—;
after subsection (4) insert—;
in subsection (5), for “period for objections given in the notice under subsection (1)(c)” substitute “objection period”.
In section 138M (making a variation)—
for subsection (4)(d) substitute—;
after subsection (4) insert—;
omit subsection (8)(c).
In section 138O (revocation)—
omit subsection (7)(a);
for subsection (7)(d) substitute—;
after subsection (7) insert—;
omit subsection (11)(c).
In the Enhanced Partnership Plans and Schemes (Objections) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/404) omit regulations 7(2) and 8(2).
In section 143B of the Transport Act 2000 (power to obtain information about local services), after subsection (4) insert—
In the Transport Act 2000, after section 113B insert—
In the Bus Services Act 2017 omit section 22 (restriction on formation of bus companies by local government in England).
A director of a local government bus company who is— is disqualified for being elected or being a member of a relevant authority if the company is under the control of the authority.
paid for acting in that capacity, or
an employee of the company or a subsidiary of the company,
For the purposes of subsection (2), a company is under the control of a relevant authority if—
the company is a subsidiary of the authority, or
the authority is one of two or more relevant authorities that are members of the company and the company would be a subsidiary of those authorities if they were a single body corporate.
Subsections (1) to (3) apply in relation to a director of a subsidiary of a local government bus company as they apply in relation to a director of such a company.
In subsections (2) to (4)—
for use by people accessing the stopping place, and
“local government bus company” means a company formed by a relevant authority or authorities for the purpose of providing a local service;
“local service” has the same meaning as in the Transport Act 1985 (see section 2 of that Act);
“local service” has the same meaning as in the Transport Act 1985 (see section 2 of that Act);
a county council in England,
a district council in England,
“facilities” means any facilities provided—
to assist with the positioning of a public service vehicle being used to provide a local service at a stopping place so as to enable passengers to board or alight from the vehicle;
a combined county authority established under section 9(1) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, or
“relevant authority” means—
to assist persons with accessing a stopping place,
a district council in England,
for use by people accessing the stopping place, and
Section 11(4) After Schedule 9 to the Transport Act 2000 insert—
a combined authority established under section 103 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009,
a combined county authority established under section 9(1) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, or
an Integrated Transport Authority for an integrated transport area in England;
In the Transport Act 1985—
in section 66 (exclusion of powers of district councils to run bus undertakings)—
in subsection (1), for “subsection” substitute “subsections (1A) and”;
after that subsection insert—;
in section 73 (control over constitution and activities of public transport companies)—
at the end of subsection (5) insert—;
after that subsection insert—
In section 123O(3) of the Transport Act 2000 omit the words from “apart” to the end.
In Schedule 4 to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 omit paragraph 212.
In the Transport Act 2000, after section 154 insert—
The Transport Act 1985 is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).
In section 6 (registration of local services)—
in subsection (9)—
for paragraph (e) substitute—;
in paragraph (j), for “to a traffic commissioner” substitute —;
after paragraph (ka) insert—;
after subsection (11) insert—
In section 6I (records of registration etc)—
in subsection (4), for “a traffic commissioner” substitute “such persons as may be prescribed”;
in subsection (7), for paragraph (b) substitute—
Information received by a traffic commissioner under section 6 or 6I of the Transport Act 1985, in connection with a local service which has one or more stopping places in England, before this section comes into force may be provided by the traffic commissioner to the Secretary of State (in which case the information is provided without restrictions on its disclosure or use).
Where a local service is provided both inside and outside England, subsection (4) does not authorise the provision of information which relates to any part of the service which is provided outside England.
Section 141A of the Transport Act 2000 (power to require information about English bus services) is amended as follows.
In subsection (2)—
at the end of paragraph (a) omit “or”;
at the end of paragraph (b) insert , or
In subsection (3)—
in paragraph (a), for “and tickets” substitute “, tickets and passenger numbers”;
at the end of paragraph (b) omit “and”;
after paragraph (c) insert—
In subsection (4)—
at the end of paragraph (a), omit “and”;
at the end of paragraph (b), insert , and
In subsection (8), for paragraph (b) substitute—
In the Statistics of Trade Act 1947, after section 9A insert—
Section 24 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 (regulation of conduct of inspectors) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).
After subsection (1) insert—
For subsection (4) substitute—
In the Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1020), “inspector” includes an inspector authorised as mentioned in section 24(4)(b) of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981.
In the Transport Act 2000, before the italic heading preceding section 145A insert—
Subsection (3) of section 235 of the Local Government Act 1972 does not prevent byelaws being made under that section which could also be made under section 144A of the Transport Act 2000 where the local authority making the byelaws made an application to the Secretary of State under regulation 6 of the Byelaws (Alternative Procedure) (England) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/165) before this section came into force.
In the Greater London Authority Act 1999, after Chapter 8 of Part 4 insert—
The Secretary of State may give guidance about stopping places for local services, and facilities in the vicinity of such stopping places, for the purposes of—
promoting the safety of persons using such facilities,
facilitating travel by persons with disabilities (within the meaning given by section 6 of the Equality Act 2010) on local services, or
enabling persons with disabilities (within that meaning) to travel on local services independently, and in safety and reasonable comfort.
The guidance may, in particular, include guidance about—
the location, design, construction and maintenance of stopping places and facilities in the vicinity of stopping places;
how persons required to have regard to the guidance are to engage with other persons in relation to stopping places and facilities in the vicinity of stopping places.
The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance under this section.
The Secretary of State must publish guidance given under this section and any variation or revocation of the guidance.
The Secretary of State must consult the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee—
before giving or revoking guidance under this section, or
before varying guidance under this section in a way which, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, results in a substantial change to the guidance.
The following must have regard to guidance published under this section when commissioning the design, construction or maintenance of a stopping place for a local service, or any facilities in the vicinity of a stopping place for a local service—
a local transport authority (within the meaning given by Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000) whose area is in England;
Transport for London;
a local traffic authority (within the meaning given by section 121A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984), in relation to stopping places on roads in England;
a strategic highways company (within the meaning given by section 1 of the Infrastructure Act 2015), in relation to stopping places on highways in England.
In this section—
The Secretary of State must give guidance about the provision and design of floating bus stops.
The guidance may, in particular, include guidance about—
matters to be taken into account, and the consultation that should be carried out, when deciding whether it is appropriate to construct or remove a floating bus stop;
the circumstances in which it is appropriate to construct or remove particular types of floating bus stops;
other considerations to be taken into account when designing floating bus stops.
The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance given under this section.
The Secretary of State must publish guidance given under this section and any variation or revocation of the guidance.
The first guidance given under this section must be published before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
The Secretary of State must consult the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, and any other persons who in the opinion of the Secretary of State it is appropriate to consult—
before giving or revoking guidance under this section, or
before varying guidance under this section in a way which, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, results in a substantial change to the guidance.
The following must have regard to the guidance—
a local transport authority (within the meaning given by Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000) whose area is in England;
Transport for London;
a local traffic authority (within the meaning given by section 121A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984), in relation to stopping places on roads in England;
a local highway authority (within the meaning of the Highways Act 1980), in relation to stopping places on highways in England;
a strategic highways company (within the meaning given by section 1 of the Infrastructure Act 2015), in relation to stopping places on highways in England.
In this section—
“public service vehicle” has the same meaning as in the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 (see section 1 of that Act);
so as to incorporate a cycle track (within the meaning of the Highways Act 1980 (see section 329 of that Act));
An authority which is subject to a duty under section 30(6) or section 31(7) (duties to have regard to guidance) must, when requested to do so, provide to the Secretary of State—
details of how they have complied with the duty, and
any other information relating to stopping places provided by the authority and used by local services that is specified in the request.
The request may specify the form in which, and the period within which, the information is to be provided.
The Secretary of State may publish—
any information provided under this section, and
if it appears to the Secretary of State that the authority have not complied with their duty under section 30(6) or section 31(7), a statement to that effect.
In this section “local service” and “stopping place” have the same meanings as in the Transport Act 1985 (see sections 2 and 137 of that Act).
In the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981, after Part 2 insert—
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
After section 144E (inserted by section 28 of this Act) insert—
In section 155 (sanctions), after subsection (1ZD) insert—
Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 is amended as follows.
In Article 2 (scope), at the end of paragraph 2 insert “, and where the service is a local service, point (a) of Article 16(1) shall also apply”.
In Article 3 (definitions), at the end insert—
In Article 16 (training)—
in paragraph 1(b), for “as described in part (a) of Annex II” substitute —, and
after paragraph 1 insert—
The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument require carriers and terminal managing bodies—
to keep such records relating to their compliance with the disability training requirements as are specified or described in the regulations,
to publish, in such manner and at such times as the regulations specify, such information relating to their compliance with the disability training requirements as is specified or described in the regulations, and
to provide to the Secretary of State such information relating to their compliance with the disability training requirements as the Secretary of State may require.
The power to make regulations under this section includes power to make—
consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving provision;
different provision for different purposes.
A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
The Secretary of State may issue guidance about compliance with the requirements of—
the disability training requirements, and
regulations made under this section.
The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance issued under subsection (4).
The Secretary of State must publish—
guidance issued under subsection (4), and
any variation or revocation of the guidance.
In this section—
“Regulation 181/2011” means Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004,
“carrier” and “terminal managing body” have the same meanings as in Regulation 181/2011, and
“disability training requirements” means the requirements of paragraph 1 of Article 16 of Regulation 181/2011 as they apply by virtue of paragraph 1A of that Article.
The Rights of Passengers in Bus and Coach Transport (Exemptions and Enforcement) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1865) are amended in accordance with subsections (9) and (10).
In regulation 8, after paragraph (1) insert—
After regulation 10 insert—
The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
After section 151 insert—
In section 155 (sanctions), after subsection (1ZDA) (inserted by section 34 of this Act), insert—
In section 160 (regulations and orders)—
in subsection (2), for “or 141A(1)” substitute “, 141A(1) or 151A(3)(b)”, and
in subsection (2A), for “or 141A(1)” substitute “, 141A(1) or 151A(3)(b)”.
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 is amended as follows.
Before the italic heading preceding section 36 insert—
In section 39(1) (penalties)—
omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (c), and
after paragraph (c) insert—.
In section 81(4) (regulations and orders), in paragraph (b), after “35A(1)” insert “, 35B(3)(b)”.
The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision that is consequential on this Act.
Regulations under this section may amend, repeal or revoke provision made by or under an Act passed—
before this Act, or
later in the same session of Parliament as this Act.
The power to make regulations under this section includes power to make—
consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving provision;
different provision for different purposes.
Regulations under this section are to be made by statutory instrument.
A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section that amend or repeal provision made by an Act may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
Any other statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
The following provisions extend to England and Wales and Scotland—
section 13;
sections 26 and 27;
sections 35 and 36;
section 39, this section and sections 41 and 42.
Section 38 extends to Scotland only.
The remaining provisions of this Act extend to England and Wales only.
Sections 39 and 40, this section and section 42 come into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
Section 31 comes into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
Section 33 comes into force at the end of the period of six months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
Section 38 comes into force—
for the purposes of making regulations, on the day on which this Act is passed;
for remaining purposes, on such day as the Scottish Ministers may by regulations appoint.
The remaining provisions of this Act come into force—
for the purposes of making regulations, on the day on which this Act is passed;
for remaining purposes, on such day or days as the Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument appoint.
The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make transitional or saving provision in connection with the coming into force of section 38.
The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument make transitional or saving provision (in addition to any transitional and saving provision made by this Act) in connection with the coming into force of any other provision of this Act.
For regulations made by the Scottish Ministers under subsection (4)(b) or (6), see section 27 of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 10) (Scottish statutory instruments).
This Act may be cited as the Bus Services Act 2025.