ALBUM stresses SME and municipal relevance to Bus Services Act.

Chair Astill believes that these operators will play a significant role in the new bus service system.

ALBUM has welcomed the passage of the Bus Services (No.2) Bill into law in England as the Bus Services Act, with the body representing SMEs and municipal operators emphasising how those businesses have much to offer local transport authorities (LTAs) in terms of bus service delivery under the new regime.

The Bus Services Act is described as “a momentous piece of legislation for our industry” by ALBUM Chair and Nottingham City Transport Managing Director David Astill, who notes that the organisation is pleased to have played an active role in shaping it through consultation with the Department for Transport.

“We understand that larger metro regions may decide that the franchised method is best for them. “Elsewhere, we hope that the Enhanced Partnership model will continue to be popular,” Mr Astill says.

Backhouse Jones Legal Director James Backhouse observed in September how changes to the Enhanced Partnership mechanism in the then-bill seek to increase flexibility and provide LTAs with additional tools without the need for franchising, which he believes will increase the popularity of partnership among those bodies.

Mr Astill states that ALBUM will try to influence upcoming DfT advice on different aspects of the act “and ensure that the value and benefit that locally owned and locally managed bus companies bring to the market are recognised and embraced by LTAs.”

Municipal and small and medium-sized bus operators “have much to offer” to England’s new bus service delivery system, especially in a scenario where the act attempts to increase patronage against a backdrop of stretched public budgets, he says.

“We encourage all LTAs to make the most of the skills and expertise of SME bus operators in their area, which have been willing and able to provide quality bus services at their own commercial risk, in some cases for generations.”

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