Blackpool the example to save thousands of bus root miles.
The new bill aims to stop sudden bus cuts and give councils more control over local routes
Thousands of miles of bus routes across the UK could soon be protected from being cut without warning, thanks to a new government bill aimed at improving public transport.
The Bus Services Bill, which reached its Second Reading in Parliament this week, promises to stop sudden cancellations of vital services—especially those relied on by vulnerable passengers to get to work, school, or medical appointments.
As part of the plans, councils will be given more control over local bus networks, with new rules making it harder for operators to scrap routes without proper consultation.
To mark the milestone, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood visited Blackpool to see how locally controlled services are already making a difference. He spoke to passengers using Blackpool Transport, which is run by the council and has been praised for putting community needs first.
He said: "I was just talking to some passengers just now who've just been telling me just how important buses are to this local area. Getting people to those jobs, to education, to their hospital appointments, all really crucial.
"And the work that Blackpool Transport has been doing here has been fantastic.
"We're looking to empower local leaders to take back control of their buses, whether that be through local authority operated bus companies like here in Blackpool Transport, whether it's improved enhanced partnerships, where your private operators with local governments, or whether that's through franchising."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“We’re committed to giving local leaders the power to shape the bus services their communities rely on. This Bill is a big step forward in protecting vital routes and improving reliability.
“We have taken a decisive step towards better buses, building on 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.”
The government says the new law will also:
Lift the ban on councils setting up their own bus companies
Cut red tape around bus franchising
Improve safety by requiring staff training to tackle anti-social behaviour
It’s all part of the government’s Plan for Change, which includes a £1 billion investment in bus services and infrastructure, plus nearly £38 million to bring in 319 new zero-emission buses across England.
Buses remain the most-used form of public transport in the country, but outside London, around 300 million miles of services have been lost since 2010.
The government hopes the new law will help reverse that trend—and restore trust in local bus networks.