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Bus Services: Franchises

Asked by Wendy MortonConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 20 June 2025UIN 60504

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the readiness of combined authorities to exercise new franchising powers under the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill.

Answered by Simon Lightwood

We recognise the fundamental importance of building the capacity and capability of local transport authorities to drive improvements to bus services and exercise franchising powers if they wish.

The Department is working with Local Transport Authorities who are in the process of or are interested in franchising, to understand how the process could be improved and to provide a tailored programme of support.

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