Bus Services Act 2017 (Get in on the Act)

The Bus Services Act provides Mayoral Combined Authorities with significant London-style powers to franchise local services.


As with the system in London, franchising will provide local authorities with the ability to determine and specify the bus services to be provided in an area, with bus operators bidding to provide the services. This will allow local authorities to specify the services that passengers want and deliver an integrated network of services with  co-ordinated timetables, ticketing and branding. The Bus Services Act 2016 (the Act) offers a simpler and more cost-effective route to franchising than the current quality contracts approach.

The legislation completed its passage through Parliament on Tuesday 25 April 2017 and received Royal Assent on Thursday 27 April 2017.