Consultation outcome

Proposed changes to bus franchising guidance

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Detail of outcome

The aim of this consultation was to seek views on proposals to revise bus franchising guidance.

After reviewing responses to this consultation, the government will proceed with the proposals.

We have published updated bus franchising guidance alongside this consultation response. This incorporates changes based on feedback from respondents.


Original consultation

Summary

Seeking views on proposed changes to the Department for Transport’s guidance on setting up a bus franchising scheme.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

The government is determined to deliver better bus services, grow passenger numbers and drive opportunity to under-served regions.

As part of this, it has committed to put bus services back into the hands of local leaders by removing barriers that currently limit the bus franchising process.

The bus franchising guidance sets out how the franchising legislation operates in practice and sets out the statutory duties that a franchising authority or auditor must have regard to in exercising relevant functions of the guidance.   

The consultation seeks views on updates to the guidance to remove more technical barriers to franchising and support safer and more accessible services.

This page contains:

  • a consultation document with details of proposed changes and questions about the proposals
  • a copy of draft revised franchising guidance to reflect the new process
  • a link to an online form for you to respond to our questions

Read the consultation document alongside the draft revised guidance and respond to the questions to tell us what you think.

Alongside publication of this consultation, we have laid a statutory instrument in Parliament to open up franchising to all local transport authorities.

Documents

Draft revised bus franchising guidance

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Updates to this page

Published 9 September 2024
Last updated 17 December 2024 + show all updates
  1. Consultation outcome added.

  2. First published.

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