Driving Change: Bus Services Bill becomes law

The Bus Services Act 2025 became law at the end of October 2025. 

The Act - colloquially known as the “Better Buses Bill” as it passed through Parliament - has been hailed by the government as bringing in “a new dawn for bus travel in the UK”, gifting passengers more reliable and dependable journeys. 

We previously published a more detailed overview of the key features of the Act. Highlights include: 

• additional options for local authorities to take control of bus services in their areas, including allowing local authorities to set up their own bus companies (LABCos), removing barriers to franchising and empowering Enhanced Partnerships between authorities and bus operators;
• increased protections against cancellation of routes identified by local councils as “socially necessary”;
• establishing a legislative framework for the prohibition of new non-zero emission buses after a date to be specified by the Secretary of State (1 January 2030 at the earliest) - which we previously wrote about in more detail; and
• mandating additional safeguarding training for drivers and bus station staff. 

The Act  hopes to address a number of the concerns and recommendations raised by the House of Commons Transport Committee earlier this year, particularly through its focus on protecting rural and other socially necessary services. Local authorities in York and North Yorkshire, Cornwall, Cumbria, Hertfordshire, Cheshire West and Chester are already being supported by a government-backed bus franchising pilot focusing on how the new regulations can benefit rural bus services in particular. 

The Committee's report included a word of caution in relation to bus franchising, warning that this will not be the universal solution as franchising requires local authorities to have sufficient legal, commercial and operational capacity to properly implement and manage services.

A proposal to trial free bus passes for under 22s in England (which was another recommendation of the Committee) will not go ahead due to being deemed unaffordable. 

However, the government has announced that it intends to further support this “new era of better buses” with additional funding for local authorities, expected to be announced in the coming weeks. 

For further information or advice related to the potential impact of the Act, please contact Chris Simms, Brian Wong, Chris Lewis, Charlotte Robinson or your usual Burges Salmon contact.

The Bus Services Act will make it easier for local leaders to take control of their buses and put passengers first.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-era-of-better-buses-landmark-bus-bill-becomes-law