Legislation – Bus Services Act 2025

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Introduction

1 Availability of franchising schemes

2 Specification of areas

3 Specification of services

4 Minimum period before provision of services

5 References to local services

6 Criteria for granting service permits

7 Registration of services provided under service permits

8 Substitute road services

9 Report on assessment of proposed scheme

10 Duty to consult persons with disabilities

11 Variation of schemes

12 Miscellaneous amendments

13 Direct award of contracts to incumbent operators

14 Socially necessary local services

15 Measures specified in schemes

16 Passenger benefit requirement

17 Variation of schemes

18 Requirements enabling travel by persons with disabilities

19 Objections by operators

20 Advance notice of requirement to provide information

21 Bus network accessibility plans

22 Local government bus companies

23 Grants

24 Information provided on registration of local services

25 Information about local services

26 Information obtained under

27 Powers of inspectors

28 Local transport authority byelaws

29 Transport for London byelaws

30 Safety and accessibility of stopping places

31 Provision and design of floating bus stops

32 Duty to provide information to Secretary of State

33 Safeguarding duty: drivers of school services

34 Training about crime and anti-social behaviour

35 Training about disability

36 Training about disability: further provisions

37 Use of zero-emission vehicles for local services in England

38 Use of zero-emission vehicles for local services in Scotland

39 Power to make consequential provision

40 Extent

41 Commencement and transitional provision

42 Short title

SCHEDULES

Schedule Procedure for varying franchising scheme

Changes to legislation:

There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Bus Services Act 2025, Section 23. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Local government functions

23Grants

In the Transport Act 2000, after section 154 insert—

“154AGrants by local transport authorities in England

(1)

A local transport authority whose area is in England may make grants to operators of the services mentioned in subsection (2) towards their costs in operating those services in that area.

(2)

The services are—

(a)

local services which have one or more stopping places in the authority’s area, and

(b)

services which have one or more stopping places in the authority’s area and would be local services but for section 2(4)(b) of the Transport Act 1985.

(3)

Grants under this section are to be of such amount and subject to such conditions (including conditions requiring their repayment in specified circumstances) as may be determined by the authority.

(4)

If a local transport authority is a mayoral combined authority, the function under subsection (1) is a function of the combined authority exercisable only by the mayor acting on behalf of the combined authority.

(5)

If a local transport authority is a mayoral CCA, the function under subsection (1) is a function of the combined county authority exercisable only by the mayor acting on behalf of the combined county authority.

(6)

The Secretary of State may issue guidance as to the exercise of functions under this section by local transport authorities and mayors; and they must have regard to any such guidance.

(7)

The guidance may, in particular, include guidance—

(a)

about the protection of services mentioned in subsection (2) that are socially necessary,

(b)

about how the services mentioned in that subsection can contribute to economic growth and the protection of the environment, and

(c)

setting out practical considerations to be taken into account when exercising functions under this section.

(8)

The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance issued under subsection (6).

(9)

The Secretary of State must publish—

(a)

guidance issued under subsection (6), and

(b)

any variation or revocation of the guidance.

(10)

Section 88(1) of the Transport Act 1985 (application to subsidy agreements of sections 89 to 92 of that Act) does not apply in relation to grants under this section.”

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I1S. 23 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 41(5)