The future of local bus services was the subject of a report published this week by the Transport Select Committee, which examined the long-term decline in bus provision over the past decade.
Drawing on evidence from organisations across the country, the Committee warned of the significant impact this trend could have on communities—particularly those outside major urban areas—by limiting access to essential services such as employment, education, and healthcare.
The report identified several key challenges facing the sector, including:
- Declining patronage
- The need for long-term funding certainty
- The complexity of delivering services that meet the needs of both urban and rural communities
It also explored how to secure reliable, affordable, and sustainable bus networks for passengers across England.
Among its recommendations, the Committee called for:
- Clearer governance options for local authorities
- Improved transparency in decision-making
- Practical support for assessing delivery models such as Enhanced Partnerships and franchising
- Greater investment in skills and knowledge sharing
- The expansion of the Bus Centre of Excellence to ensure local authorities have access to the expertise they require
TfSE welcomes the recommendation to expand the Bus Centre of Excellence. We stand ready to share our resources and experience through this platform, as well as via our own Regional Centre of Excellence, ensuring value for money and consistent support for local authority officers across the country.
We also welcome the representation of Sub-national Transport Bodies during the Committee’s evidence sessions.
TfSE is already taking steps to address several of the gaps identified in the report. From next month, we will launch a programme of work designed to support local authorities in navigating these challenges, which will include:
- Bus Devolution – helping authorities understand the governance implications of devolution and how these affect infrastructure investment and cross-subsidy decisions
- Cross-Boundary Infrastructure – facilitating collaboration on the management and funding of shared infrastructure, particularly in the context of rising costs
- Cross-Subsidy Planning – equipping officers with tools to plan sustainable services, balancing commercial viability with socially necessary provision
Through these initiatives, TfSE will provide practical, evidence-based support to help local authorities make informed decisions, explore governance options, and plan for long-term network stability—delivering on the spirit of the Committee’s recommendations.
Read the report here: England’s buses: more ambition needed to undo a decade of decline and get bums back on seats, Transport Committee tells Govt – Committees – UK Parliament