Issue details

The national bus strategy, Bus Back Better, was published by the Government on Monday 15 March. It sets out a key role for the bus, outlines the future of bus funding and the commitments needed from Local Transport Authorities and bus operators. The strategy can be accessed here: Bus back better - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

The strategy seeks to strengthen the role of Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) through devolution of funding. £3bn for bus was first announced by the Government in February 2020 and confirmed in the National Bus Strategy. Government has set very specific requirements and timescales for accessing this funding as follows:
By the end of June 2021, we expect all LTAs, except MCAs which have started the statutory process of franchising bus services, to commit to establishing Enhanced Partnerships across their entire areas under the Bus Services Act, and all operators to co-operate with the LTA throughout the process……. From 1 July 2021, only LTAs and operators who meet these requirements will continue to receive the COVID-19 Bus Services Support Grant (CBSSG) or any new sources of bus funding from the Government’s £3bn budget.
The Strategy requires the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to develop an Enhanced Partnership with the bus operators in West Yorkshire, in accordance with the provisions in the Bus Services Act of 2017.
The Combined Authority is required to take a decision to approve that a notice of intent to develop an Enhanced Partnership is issued to all bus operators in West Yorkshire.