A package of measures to empower local leaders to take control of their bus services was unveiled yesterday by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh – the first stop on the journey to better buses.

Legislation was laid before Parliament yesterday which gives all local transport authorities across England new powers to run their own bus services – powers previously limited to mayoral combined authorities. The move means that local leaders across the country can deliver services in a way that suits the needs of their communities.

The government has also launched a consultation on new draft guidance to provide advice and support for local leaders looking to bring services into public control. This new, simplified guidance will help break down barriers to local control of bus services, speeding up the process and bringing down costs.

The guidance will also put the needs of passengers and bus drivers first – by encouraging local transport authorities to consider driver welfare and passenger safety, including anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.

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.

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.

Modernising our transport infrastructure and delivering better buses is at the heart of our plan to kickstart economic growth in every part of the country and get the country moving. Our plans will deliver a better service for passengers and give local authorities a choice over the bus system that works best for them without extra burdens on the taxpayer.  

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said:

"Buses are the lifeblood of our communities, but for too many people it has become impossible to rely on local services, as routes have been slashed and timetables hollowed out.  

Today is the first stop on our journey to delivering better buses across the country. After decades of failed deregulation, local leaders will finally have the powers to provide services that deliver for passengers.

And we are taking steps to support local leaders to deliver improved bus services faster and cheaper than ever before.

With local communities firmly back in the driving seat, our bus revolution will save vital routes up and down the country and put passengers first."

Councillor Adam Hug, transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said:

"Buses remain critical to local government’s efforts to ensure that everyone can benefit from inclusive economic growth and job opportunities, and to prevent social isolation by making local services more accessible; they also continue to play a vital role in reducing carbon and other harmful emissions."

These proposed measures recognise the fundamental role of local leadership in shaping future bus provision, which the LGA has long been calling for.

These 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.

The Buses Bill will also reverse the ban on setting up new publicly owned bus companies, provide greater flexibility over bus funding and will take steps to improve bus services for communities who choose not to pursue public control.

Kerry Booth, Chief Executive, Rural Services Network "The New Buses Bill marks a pivotal moment for communities across the country, especially for rural areas that have long been underserved by fragmented bus services. By empowering local leaders with the tools to shape bus networks that reflect the needs of their regions, this legislation aligns with what we have long advocated for through our Delivering for Rural campaign. It offers a vital opportunity to improve connectivity and accessibility for rural communities, ensuring that no one is left behind. This is about putting passengers first—restoring trust in our transport networks and creating services that truly work for everyone, no matter where they live."