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).

Since becoming a Mayoral Combined Authority earlier this year, the Combined Authority now has powers to make a bus franchising scheme. To do so, the Combined Authority will start the process to prepare and publish an Assessment of the need for a Franchising Scheme, subject the Assessment to independent audit and instigate a public consultation.
The Combined Authority is required to take a decision to approve that a notice of intent to prepare an assessment of a bus franchising scheme be progressed.