Prospects in Britain in the light of the Bus Services Act 2017

Abstract

The Bus Services Act 2017 gained Royal Assent on 27 April, shortly before Parliament was dissolved prior to the general election of 8 June. It provides a range of powers, mostly permissive rather than mandatory. The general emphasis of the Act displays marked shift from the previous focus on competition as a major policy aim, to one in which partnerships between operators and local transport authorities are encouraged. Procedures for franchising are simplified, in contrast to those under the 2000 and 2008 Acts, which did not result in any franchising scheme outside London being introduced. The changes relate to a number of themes examined in previous Thredbo conferences, from the first in 1989 when British deregulation was analysed by several contributors, including aspects of competition law, service tendering, data disclosure and network planning. This paper begins by examining the historical background to the Act, then discusses its main provisions, and possible outcomes in practice. This paper is based on observation of the bus industry over many years, and the development of the Act. All views are those of the author personally, and do not represent those of the British government or any other organisation.