Bus Bill to protect vital routes in local communities

The Bus Services Bill, which received its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday (2nd June 2025), will ensure that vital bus routes are protected from being scrapped at short notice. 

The Bill will introduce tighter requirements for cancelling vital bus routes, especially those used by vulnerable or disadvantaged passengers. Councils will additionally identify necessary local services and work with bus operators to put strict requirements before these services can be changed or cancelled.

MPs also debated how the Bill, which  will allow local authorities to emulate the success of locally controlled bus networks, as it is set to lift the ban on local authorities establishing their own bus companies.

The government will additionally reduce the complexities involved in bus franchising, including reducing the minimum spend between local areas taking control and being allowed to run services.

Buses remain the most used form of public transport across England, and yet around 300 million miles of bus services outside London were cut from 2010 to 2024, leaving passengers without a reliable network. 

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “We’re committed to giving local leaders the power to shape the bus services their communities rely on. Our Bus Services Bill is a big step forward, protecting vital services that people depend on to get to work, school, or essential appointments.

“We have taken a decisive step towards better buses, building our £1 billion investment to improve and maintain bus services, keeping people connected, driving up living standards and growing the economy in line with our Plan for Change.”