← Back to House of Commons Debates
Bus Franchising
09 September 2024
Lead MP
Simon Lightwood
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
EconomyTaxationTransport
Other Contributors: 25
At a Glance
Simon Lightwood raised concerns about bus franchising in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
With permission, Mr Speaker, I announce the Government's initiative to reform bus services in England. Over four decades of deregulation, there has been a decline in bus usage with 1.5 billion fewer journeys since 1985 and 300 million fewer miles driven annually since 2010. The government aims to reverse this trend by empowering local leaders to adopt the franchising model currently used by mayoral combined authorities. A statutory instrument has been laid that will enable all local transport authorities in England to start bus franchising with just the Transport Secretary's consent. This measure is expected to improve service reliability and passenger numbers, as evidenced in Greater Manchester and London where public control of buses has led to increased ridership and new services. The Government plans a public consultation to gather views on further streamlining the process for implementing franchised schemes and will follow up with a bus Bill later this parliamentary session to facilitate faster and cheaper franchise rollouts. There are no additional burdens on taxpayers; instead, local authorities will have greater control over their transport policies.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Question
Mr Lightwood, could you clarify how local authorities will be supported to adopt the franchising model without additional central funding? Also, what projections have been made regarding the financial impact on councils?
Minister reply
The Government recognises that some local authorities may face challenges in implementing bus franchises. We will provide support through streamlined processes and simpler guidance. However, no specific funding has been allocated at this stage to address potential financial burdens. The aim is for local leaders to make decisions based on their community's needs without an extra burden on taxpayers.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Question
I thank the Minister for his statement. We on this side of the House are in full agreement that good local transport is something that everyone deserves access to, both for helping people to live their lives and for fulfilling the economic potential of all parts of the country... (full question as provided)
Minister reply
Modernising our transport infrastructure and delivering better buses are at the heart of our plan to kick-start economic growth in every part of the country to get our country moving. This statutory instrument is just the start of a package of measures; the buses Bill will deliver further measures on issues such as funding... (full answer as provided)
Graham Stringer
Lab
Blackley and Middleton South
Question
Last week and this week have been the best two weeks for public transport for many decades, righting the wrongs of the privatisation of the rail service and the deregulation of buses... Does my hon. Friend agree that there should be a massive apology from the Conservatives for the damage they have done to public transport?
Minister reply
I believe there should be a massive apology from the Opposition for the mess they have left this country in and for the mess they have left our bus services in... Following the previous Government, almost 300 million fewer miles are now driven a year compared with 2010. That is an appalling statistic.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Question
We Liberal Democrats welcome today’s statement to give local authorities, not just metro Mayors, more powers and the potential to run their bus services... What we currently have is completely inadequate, so will the Minister set out how today’s announcement will improve rural bus services, not just in the long term, but in the short term?
Minister reply
The ability of local areas and local transport authorities to take back control of their bus services is crucial for rural areas... Again, local transport authorities understand the specific needs of their local communities, be they rural or urban, and are best placed to make those decisions and design the network around those needs.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Question
I welcome the statement and draw to the Minister’s attention the Transport Committee report... There are some excellent recommendations in there. In regions such as Greater Manchester, the process of introducing bus franchising has been quite lengthy. Granting combined authorities the ability to directly award contracts would significantly shorten that timeline, allowing areas such as the north-east to bring about faster improvements. Will the Minister confirm that the better buses Bill will include provisions for direct award powers?
Minister reply
I can confirm that my officials are investigating the means to do just that, and I will update the House accordingly as progress continues.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
Question
I welcome the Minister’s statement... Local government finance is under pressure, and the delivery of services in rural areas is much more costly than it is in Manchester, Nottingham or London. That is just a geographical fact, which I think we all accept... May I urge the Minister to engage the good offices of the County Councils Network, as the lead body for county councils and the unitaries, to find their views and suggestions? If this is to work in rural areas, rural councils will require some extra money.
Minister reply
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question and for his constructive engagement... I take his points on board.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
Welcoming the Minister's statement, Clive Betts highlights that deregulation since 2010 has led to a 50% decrease in bus passenger miles in South Yorkshire. He points out the disparity between Greater London and South Yorkshire regarding government funding for transport per head. He also notes that while Manchester received a good Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) settlement, South Yorkshire received none. Betts questions whether the Minister recognises the need to review these settlements or if Mayor Oliver Coppard will be forced to make cuts.
Minister reply
Simon Lightwood acknowledges the multiple funding pots available for buses and expresses eagerness to consolidate them locally to give local areas more funding flexibility.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Question
Richard Holden praises the previous Government’s £1.1 billion investment into Greater Manchester's Bee Network, highlighting its success in addressing cost issues of public transport, especially in rural areas. He asks if the Minister will extend the Get Around for £2 scheme to further improve bus passenger numbers.
Minister reply
Simon Lightwood confirms that delivering affordable and reliable public transport services is a priority. The Government is considering extending the £2 fare cap and will update on this matter.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central
Question
Chi Onwurah expresses her constituents' envy of London’s cheaper and more reliable bus services. She mentions the commitment by Kim McGuinness, North East's regional mayor, to regain control of buses. She asks how the Minister will support this goal.
Minister reply
Simon Lightwood states he has met with the Mayor of the North-East multiple times and is working closely to simplify bus franchising. He assures ongoing Department for Transport support.
Gregory Stafford
Con
Farnham and Bordon
Question
Gregory Stafford seeks a rail link bus service from Bordon to Liphook in his constituency, highlighting the town’s poor bus routes.
Minister reply
Simon Lightwood expresses willingness to meet any hon. Member regarding such requests.
Alison Hume
Lab
Scarborough and Whitby
Question
Welcoming the statement, Alison Hume highlights severe cuts to vital bus services in rural communities like Sleights to Whitby, urging for speedier improvements.
Minister reply
Simon Lightwood agrees on the urgency of improving bus services in rural areas and emphasises the need for local leaders to regain control over these essential services.
Anna Sabine
Lib Dem
Frome and East Somerset
Question
Anna Sabine welcomes the principle of the statement but asks how the Government will provide long-term funding for councils, like Somerset council, to facilitate bus franchising.
Minister reply
Simon Lightwood confirms that they aim to consolidate and simplify funding pots for buses and deliver multi-year funding settlements.
Mike Amesbury
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Question
Welcoming the statement, Mike Amesbury looks forward to seeing a direct service from Runcorn to Liverpool return. He invites the Minister to meet leaders in Cheshire to discuss taking control of bus services through a new devolution deal.
Minister reply
Simon Lightwood expresses willingness to meet his hon. Friend.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Jim Shannon thanks the Minister for his progressive statement and asks him to confirm that rural-proofing will be implemented to protect services over profit.
Minister reply
Simon Lightwood agrees on carefully considering rural bus routes and communities, stating local leaders are best suited to take this responsibility.
Tristan Osborne
Lab
Chatham and Aylesford
Question
Welcoming the statement, Tristan Osborne asks if councils can join forces for improved collaboration on bus services in rural areas.
Minister reply
Simon Lightwood confirms that local transport authorities have options to take control of their buses through partnerships or municipal ownership.
Lee Pitcher
Lab
Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
Question
Lee Pitcher highlights issues with inadequate bus services in his constituency, urging for essential improvements that support government missions like economic growth and net zero targets.
Minister reply
Simon Lightwood agrees on the importance of effective public transport, including bus services, to achieve many governmental goals.
Sean Woodcock
Lab
Banbury
Question
Sean Woodcock discusses community-owned green buses in his constituency and asks if a decade of renewal promised by Labour will see improvements in rural bus services.
Minister reply
Simon Lightwood agrees to give local transport authorities the power to take control of their bus services for better reflection of individual communities' needs.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Question
Scott Arthur praises Edinburgh's award-winning bus service and asks if public ownership can drive down costs, increase patronage, and aid in net zero goals.
Minister reply
Simon Lightwood agrees with his hon. Friend and highlights the success of municipal bus companies like Nottingham’s.
Connor Naismith
Lab
Crewe and Nantwich
Question
It was interesting to hear the Opposition Front-Bench spokesperson talk about the importance of preserving existing bus routes, when their party had presided over 14 years when thousands of bus services were lost to communities across the country. Does that not epitomise how underserved our communities and local economies have been by 14 long years of Conservative government?
Minister reply
I could not agree more. The Government’s plans are the biggest reform of England’s bus system in 40 years, putting power in the hands of communities who need it the most. Today’s announcement is a vital first step to achieve that.
Luke Charters
Lab
York Outer
Question
It was great to visit the First Bus all-electric depot in York, but I was saddened to hear just days later that First had withdrawn children’s monthly bus passes. After meeting representatives of the company, they are reviewing that decision, but does my hon. Friend agree that travel to and from school should be affordable? Will he meet me to discuss the future of buses in York?
Minister reply
Of course I want to make sure that bus fares are affordable. I will meet my hon. Friend to discuss his particular circumstances.
Polly Billington
Lab
East Thanet
Question
As has been said, the past 14 years of Conservative Government have left local bus services, especially those in coastal communities, in a shocking state. In East Thanet, the 33, 34, 9 and 8A bus services have all been drastically cut, meaning that in certain areas of Broadstairs and Ramsgate there is no bus service at all within easy reach, and no one in either town has access to a bus to Canterbury outside commuter times. Conservative-run Kent county council must take up the powers that are being offered by this Government to serve disadvantaged communities such as that in East Thanet.
Minister reply
Buses matter to millions of people, but 14 years of the Tories’ broken bus system have led to countless communities being failed and a spiral of decline in bus services. I hope all local transport authorities consider the range of options available to them to take back control of their buses and shape services for the communities that they serve.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Question
After the deregulation and decline of buses under the previous Administration, I imagine that local authorities are somewhat shocked and surprised at being given the opportunity to shape services genuinely in the public interest. What additional support is my hon. Friend considering to empower local authorities, especially smaller district authorities such as Rugby borough council, so that they can move fast and fix things locally?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. We are increasing the capacity of the Department for Transport to assist smaller authorities, so that all local transport authorities can consider franchising and other means of improving bus services in their communities.
Jacob Collier
Lab
Burton and Uttoxeter
Question
I thank the Minister for his statement. I am pleased to see him driving forward this policy to improve our bus services, which are a vital lifeline for my constituents in Burton and Uttoxeter. Does he agree that this plan puts us on the right route by expanding franchising powers so that local voices can finally steer bus services in the right direction?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He has already been a fierce advocate for public transport and bus services in his constituency. Local leaders, not private operators as is currently the case, will have the power to set routes, fares and services, putting passengers first after decades of regulation.
Jim Dickson
Lab
Dartford
Question
As the Minister has already pointed out, and others in this Chamber have said, bus franchising has clearly delivered fantastic results where it is already in operation in Greater Manchester and London, but it will not be right for all communities. In my constituency, there are often only two buses a day connecting the outlying villages to Dartford and other population centres. Does he agree with me that the upcoming bus Bill will be a fantastic opportunity to end the postcode lottery of bus services across the country, providing maximum flexibility to local leaders, such as those in Kent if they are prepared to use it, to choose the right system for their populations?
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend. We must turn the page on years of Conservative failure in local transport, which is why the forthcoming bus Bill, in conjunction with our announcements today, will help end the country’s transport postcode lottery.
Shadow Comment
Kieran Mullan
Shadow Comment
The Conservative shadow agrees that good local transport is essential but highlights the significant risks in shifting responsibility to local authorities without adequate funding or support. While welcoming the desire for improved services, they are concerned about the financial implications for both central and local government, especially regarding subsidies needed to restore service levels akin to 1985. The Labour proposal could place considerable strain on local finances due to loss-making rural routes and changing travel patterns post-pandemic. Concerns have been raised over who will fund capital expenditure and how increased costs might translate into higher council taxes or cuts in other services. They call for concrete commitments from the Government on service improvements, cost reductions, and accessibility enhancements, rather than ideological reforms.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.