'Bus revolution' measures unveiled to 'save vital routes'

A "bus revolution" will save vital routes and put passengers first, the government has said, as it unveiled new measures which include plans to further support franchising.

The legislation, which will be laid out before parliament on Monday, will give all local transport authorities new powers to run their own bus services.

Only metro mayors at the moment can control services in this way.

It will be presented in the form of a statutory instrument, meaning it does not need to be passed by parliament.

The government has also launched a consultation on simplified guidance hoping to speed up processes and reduce costs for local leaders looking to bring services into public control.

Known as bus franchising, this model involves local authorities granting private companies the right to operate in a specific area but keeping control over key aspects.

This could include routes, timetables and fares.

According to the Department for Transport, the annual total distance travelled by buses in England has fallen by nearly 300 million miles since 2010.

The department plans to present a Buses Bill later in this parliamentary session to further support franchising.

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Transport Secretary Louise Haigh hailed the measures as "the first stop on our journey to delivering better buses across the country".

"After decades of failed deregulation, local leaders will finally have the powers to provide services that deliver for passengers," she said.

"And we are taking steps to support local leaders to deliver improved bus services faster and cheaper than ever before.

"With local communities firmly back in the driving seat, our bus revolution will save vital routes up and down the country and put passengers first."

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Helen Whately, the shadow transport secretary, said Labour's plans are unfunded.

"They need to explain whether local authorities will raise council tax or make cuts to vital services like social care to fund this," she said.

"Moreover, it won't make a blind bit of difference for passengers. It won't increase the number of services and they would much prefer to have the £2 fare cap extended at the budget."