Bus Services Act 2025

• (c) enabling persons with disabilities (within that meaning) to travel on local services independently, and in safety and reasonable comfort.

• (2) The guidance may, in particular, include guidance about—

• (a) the location, design, construction and maintenance of stopping places and facilities in the vicinity of stopping places;

• (b) how persons required to have regard to the guidance are to engage with other persons in relation to stopping places and facilities in the vicinity of stopping places.

• (3) The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance under this section.

• (4) The Secretary of State must publish guidance given under this section and any variation or revocation of the guidance.

• (5) The Secretary of State must consult the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee—

• (a) before giving or revoking guidance under this section, or

• (b) before varying guidance under this section in a way which, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, results in a substantial change to the guidance.

• (6) The following must have regard to guidance published under this section when commissioning the design, construction or maintenance of a stopping place for a local service, or any facilities in the vicinity of a stopping place for a local service—

• (a) a local transport authority (within the meaning given by Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000) whose area is in England;

• (b) Transport for London;

• (c) a local traffic authority (within the meaning given by section 121A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984), in relation to stopping places on roads in England;

• (d) a strategic highways company (within the meaning given by section 1 of the Infrastructure Act 2015), in relation to stopping places on highways in England.

• (7) In this section—

• “facilities” means any facilities provided— to assist persons with accessing a stopping place, for the use of passengers awaiting, boarding or alighting from a public service vehicle being used to provide a local service, or to assist with the positioning of a public service vehicle being used to provide a local service at a stopping place so as to enable passengers to board or alight from the vehicle;

• “local service” has the same meaning as in the Transport Act 1985 (see section 2 of that Act);

• “public service vehicle” has the same meaning as in the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 (see section 1 of that Act);

• “stopping place” has the same meaning as in the Transport Act 1985 (see section 137 of that Act).

Provision and design of floating bus stops

31

• (1) The Secretary of State must give guidance about the provision and design of floating bus stops.

• (2) The guidance may, in particular, include guidance about—

• (a) matters to be taken into account, and the consultation that should be carried out, when deciding whether it is appropriate to construct or remove a floating bus stop;

• (b) the circumstances in which it is appropriate to construct or remove particular types of floating bus stops;

• (c) other considerations to be taken into account when designing floating bus stops.

• (3) The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance given under this section.

• (4) The Secretary of State must publish guidance given under this section and any variation or revocation of the guidance.

• (5) The first guidance given under this section must be published before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.

• (6) The Secretary of State must consult the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, and any other persons who in the opinion of the Secretary of State it is appropriate to consult—

• (a) before giving or revoking guidance under this section, or

• (b) before varying guidance under this section in a way which, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, results in a substantial change to the guidance.

• (7) The following must have regard to the guidance—

• (a) a local transport authority (within the meaning given by Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000) whose area is in England;

• (b) Transport for London;

• (c) a local traffic authority (within the meaning given by section 121A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984), in relation to stopping places on roads in England;

• (d) a local highway authority (within the meaning of the Highways Act 1980), in relation to stopping places on highways in England;

• (e) a strategic highways company (within the meaning given by section 1 of the Infrastructure Act 2015), in relation to stopping places on highways in England.

• (8) In this section—

• “floating bus stop” means an area in the immediate vicinity of a stopping place for local services, which is designed— for use by people accessing the stopping place, and so as to incorporate a cycle track (within the meaning of the Highways Act 1980 (see section 329 of that Act));

• “local service” and “stopping place” have the same meanings as in the Transport Act 1985 (see sections 2 and 137 of that Act).

Duty to provide information to Secretary of State

32

• (1) An authority which is subject to a duty under section 30(6) or section 31(7) (duties to have regard to guidance) must, when requested to do so, provide to the Secretary of State—

• (a) details of how they have complied with the duty, and

• (b) any other information relating to stopping places provided by the authority and used by local services that is specified in the request.

• (2) The request may specify the form in which, and the period within which, the information is to be provided.

• (3) The Secretary of State may publish—

• (a) any information provided under this section, and

• (b) if it appears to the Secretary of State that the authority have not complied with their duty under section 30(6) or section 31(7), a statement to that effect.

• (4) In this section “local service” and “stopping place” have the same meanings as in the Transport Act 1985 (see sections 2 and 137 of that Act).

Safeguarding for school services

Safeguarding duty: drivers of school services

33

In the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981, after Part 2 insert—

(29A) (1) The operator of a public service vehicle may not permit another person to drive the vehicle for a school service unless condition 1 or 2 is met. (2) Condition 1 is that— (a) the operator has, within the past three years, checked a relevant enhanced criminal record certificate issued within that period relating to the person who is to drive the vehicle, and (b) the certificate does not show that the person is barred from regulated activity relating to children. (3) Condition 2 is that— (a) the operator has, within the past three years, checked— (i) a relevant enhanced criminal record certificate relating to the person who is to drive the vehicle, and (ii) up-date information given, within the past three years, under section 116A of the Police Act 1997 in relation to the certificate, (b) the certificate does not show that the person is barred from regulated activity relating to children, and (c) the up-date information is not advice to request the person to apply for a new enhanced criminal record certificate. (4) In this section— - “enhanced criminal record certificate” means an enhanced criminal record certificate issued under section 113B of the Police Act 1997; - “relevant enhanced criminal record certificate” means an enhanced criminal record certificate which includes, by virtue of section 113BA of the Police Act 1997, suitability information relating to children. (29B) (1) Section 29A (duty to check barring information) applies in relation to a school service that takes up or sets down passengers at one or more points in Wales only if regulations made by the Secretary of State so provide. (2) But the regulations may not provide for that section to apply in relation to— (a) a service for the carriage of passengers by road at separate fares— (i) that is provided in fulfilment of a duty imposed on the Welsh Ministers by an Act of Senedd Cymru, or (ii) to the extent that it is provided in Wales under a permit granted by the Welsh Ministers under an Act of Senedd Cymru, or (b) a service that is provided under arrangements made by a body to which the duty in section 15(1) of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 applies (duty of local authorities and governing bodies to have regard to guidance given by Welsh Ministers). (29C) (1) A reference in this Part to regulated activity relating to children is to be construed in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. (2) For the purposes of this Part, a person drives a public service vehicle for a school service where— (a) by driving the vehicle the person is engaging in regulated activity relating to children by virtue of paragraph 2(1)(f) of Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, (b) the children using the service are being conveyed between their homes and institutions for providing primary, secondary or further education that they are attending, and (c) the vehicle is being used in circumstances such that a PSV operator’s licence is required for its use. (3) In this Part— (a) “primary education”, “secondary education” and “further education” have the meanings given in the Education Act 1996 (see section 2 of that Act); (b) “children” means persons who have not attained the age of 18.

Training of staff

Training about crime and anti-social behaviour

34

• (1) The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.

• (2) After section 144E (inserted by section 28 of this Act) insert—

(144F) (1) The holder of a PSV operator’s licence must ensure that the training requirement is fulfilled in relation to any person who— (a) drives a public service vehicle being used under the licence to provide a local service, or (b) on behalf of the holder of the licence deals directly with— (i) passengers travelling on vehicles being used under the licence to provide local services, or (ii) issues related to such passengers. (2) The training requirement is that, within the past five years, the person has completed training the aim of which is to assist the person to identify, respond appropriately to and, where safe to do so, prevent— (a) criminal offences that would cause a victim or potential victim of the offence to fear for their personal safety, and (b) anti-social behaviour, within the meaning given by section 29(1) of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. (3) The Secretary of State may by regulations require holders of PSV operators’ licences— (a) to keep such records relating to their compliance with the requirements of this section as are specified or described in the regulations, (b) to publish, in such manner and at such times as the regulations specify, such information relating to their compliance with the requirements of this section as is specified or described in the regulations, and (c) to provide to the Secretary of State such information relating to their compliance with the requirements of this section as the Secretary of State may require. (4) The Secretary of State may issue guidance about compliance with the requirements of this section and of regulations made under it. (5) The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance issued under subsection (4). (6) The Secretary of State must publish— (a) guidance issued under subsection (4), and (b) any variation or revocation of the guidance. (144G) (1) Subsections (1) and (2) of section 144F apply in relation to a local service which has one or more stopping places in Wales only if regulations made by the Secretary of State so provide. (2) But the regulations may not provide for those subsections to apply in relation to— (a) a local service that is provided in fulfilment of a duty imposed on the Welsh Ministers by an Act of Senedd Cymru, or (b) a local service to the extent that it is provided in Wales under a permit granted by the Welsh Ministers under an Act of Senedd Cymru.

• (3) In section 155 (sanctions), after subsection (1ZD) insert—

(1ZDA) Where a traffic commissioner is satisfied that the holder of a PSV operator’s licence has, without reasonable excuse, failed to comply with a requirement of section 144F or of regulations made under that section, the traffic commissioner may make one or more orders under subsection (1A)(a) or (d).

Training about disability

35

• (1) Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 is amended as follows.

• (2) In Article 2 (scope), at the end of paragraph 2 insert “, and where the service is a local service, point (a) of Article 16(1) shall also apply”.

• (3) In Article 3 (definitions), at the end insert—

(y) “local service” means a local service within the meaning given by the Transport Act 1985.

• (4) In Article 16 (training)—

• (a) in paragraph 1(b), for “as described in part (a) of Annex II” substitute

— (i) as described in part (a) of Annex II, and (ii) in relation to local services, as described in part (b) of Annex II.

, and

• (b) after paragraph 1 insert—

(1A) Carriers and terminal managing bodies must ensure that the requirements of paragraph 1 have been completed within the past five years in relation to any of their personnel who fall within point (a) or (b) of that paragraph in relation to local services.

Training about disability: further provisions

36

• (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument require carriers and terminal managing bodies—

• (a) to keep such records relating to their compliance with the disability training requirements as are specified or described in the regulations,

• (b) to publish, in such manner and at such times as the regulations specify, such information relating to their compliance with the disability training requirements as is specified or described in the regulations, and

• (c) to provide to the Secretary of State such information relating to their compliance with the disability training requirements as the Secretary of State may require.

• (2) The power to make regulations under this section includes power to make—

• (a) consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving provision;

• (b) different provision for different purposes.

• (3) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

• (4) The Secretary of State may issue guidance about compliance with the requirements of—

• (a) the disability training requirements, and

• (b) regulations made under this section.

• (5) The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance issued under subsection (4).

• (6) The Secretary of State must publish—

• (a) guidance issued under subsection (4), and

• (b) any variation or revocation of the guidance.

• (7) In this section—

• (a) “Regulation 181/2011” means Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004,

• (b) “carrier” and “terminal managing body” have the same meanings as in Regulation 181/2011, and

• (c) “disability training requirements” means the requirements of paragraph 1 of Article 16 of Regulation 181/2011 as they apply by virtue of paragraph 1A of that Article.

• (8) The Rights of Passengers in Bus and Coach Transport (Exemptions and Enforcement) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1865) are amended in accordance with subsections (9) and (10).

• (9) In regulation 8, after paragraph (1) insert—

(1A) Paragraph (1) does not apply in relation to the enforcement of the requirements of paragraph 1 of Article 16 of Regulation 181/2011 as they apply to a terminal managing body by virtue of paragraph 1A of that Article, and the designated body responsible for the enforcement of those requirements as they so apply is a traffic commissioner who is subject to the duty in regulation 10A(1) of these regulations in relation to those requirements. (1B) The enforcement authority in relation to the requirements of regulations made under section 36 of the Bus Services Act 2025 is a traffic commissioner who is subject to the duty in regulation 10A(1) of these regulations in relation to those requirements.

• (10) After regulation 10 insert—

(10A) (1) It is the duty of a traffic commissioner to exercise the powers available to the commissioner under these regulations and any other enactments in such manner as may be necessary or expedient in the opinion of the commissioner to remedy or avoid any contravention of— (a) the requirements of paragraph 1 of Article 16 of Regulation 181/2011 as they apply by virtue of paragraph 1A of that Article; (b) the requirements of regulations made under section 36 of the Bus Services Act 2025. (2) If a traffic commissioner is satisfied that a carrier or terminal managing body has, without reasonable excuse, contravened any such requirement, the traffic commissioner may impose a penalty on the carrier or terminal managing body. (3) Paragraphs (6) to (8), (10) to (12) and (14) to (16) of regulation 10 apply in relation to the imposition of a penalty under this regulation on a carrier or terminal managing body as they apply in relation to the imposition of a penalty under paragraph (4)(b)(ii) of that regulation on a relevant person.

Zero-emission vehicles

Use of zero-emission vehicles for local services in England

37

• (1) The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.

• (2) After section 151 insert—

(151A) (1) The operator of a service that falls within subsection (2) may not use a vehicle that falls within subsection (3) to provide the service in England. (2) A service falls within this subsection if it is— (a) a local service which has one or more stopping places in England and which— (i) is registered under section 6 of the Transport Act 1985, or (ii) is not required to be registered under that section because of section 123J(2) or an exemption granted under section 123PA(1), or (b) a London local service (within the meaning given by section 179 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999). (3) A vehicle falls within this subsection if— (a) it is constructed or adapted to carry both seated and standing passengers, with the number of seated passengers being more than 22 (determined in accordance with regulations made under section 26 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981), (b) it is first registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 on or after a date specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State, and (c) the tailpipe emissions from it include any of the following— (i) carbon dioxide; (ii) carbon monoxide; (iii) hydrocarbon; (iv) nitrogen oxide; (v) particulates. (4) The Secretary of State may by regulations— (a) specify descriptions of document that may be relied on in order to determine for the purposes of this section what is included in the tailpipe emissions from a vehicle, (b) specify descriptions of vehicle in relation to which subsection (1) does not apply, and (c) specify local services or descriptions of local service in relation to which subsection (1) does not apply. (5) The date specified under subsection (3)(b) may not be before 1 January 2030.

• (3) In section 155 (sanctions), after subsection (1ZDA) (inserted by section 34 of this Act), insert—

(1ZDB) Where a traffic commissioner is satisfied that the operator of a local service has, without reasonable excuse, operated the local service in contravention of section 151A(1) of this Act, the traffic commissioner may make one or more orders under subsection (1A)(a) or (d).

• (4) In section 160 (regulations and orders)—

• (a) in subsection (2), for “or 141A(1)” substitute “, 141A(1) or 151A(3)(b)”, and

• (b) in subsection (2A), for “or 141A(1)” substitute “, 141A(1) or 151A(3)(b)”.

Use of zero-emission vehicles for local services in Scotland

38

• (1) The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 is amended as follows.

• (2) Before the italic heading preceding section 36 insert—

(35B) (1) The operator of a service that falls within subsection (2) may not use a vehicle that falls within subsection (3) to provide the service in Scotland. (2) A service falls within this subsection if it is a local service which has one or more stopping places in Scotland and which— (a) is registered under section 6 of the 1985 Act, or (b) is not required to be registered under that section because of section 13B(1)(a). (3) A vehicle falls within this subsection if— (a) it is constructed or adapted to carry both seated and standing passengers, with the number of seated passengers being more than 22 (determined in accordance with regulations made under section 26 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981), (b) it is first registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 on or after a date specified in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers, and (c) the tailpipe emissions from it include any of the following— (i) carbon dioxide; (ii) carbon monoxide; (iii) hydrocarbon; (iv) nitrogen oxide; (v) particulates. (4) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations— (a) specify descriptions of document that may be relied on in order to determine for the purposes of this section what is included in the tailpipe emissions from a vehicle, (b) specify descriptions of vehicle in relation to which subsection (1) does not apply, and (c) specify local services or descriptions of local service in relation to which subsection (1) does not apply. (5) The date specified under subsection (3)(b) may not be before 1 January 2030.

• (3) In section 39(1) (penalties)—

• (a) omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (c), and

• (b) after paragraph (c) insert—

(ca) operated a local service in contravention of section 35B(1) of this Act, or

.

• (4) In section 81(4) (regulations and orders), in paragraph (b), after “35A(1)” insert “, 35B(3)(b)”.

General

Power to make consequential provision

39

• (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision that is consequential on this Act.

• (2) Regulations under this section may amend, repeal or revoke provision made by or under an Act passed—

• (a) before this Act, or

• (b) later in the same session of Parliament as this Act.

• (3) The power to make regulations under this section includes power to make—

• (a) consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving provision;

• (b) different provision for different purposes.

• (4) Regulations under this section are to be made by statutory instrument.

• (5) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section that amend or repeal provision made by an Act may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

• (6) Any other statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Extent

40

• (1) The following provisions extend to England and Wales and Scotland—

• (a) section 13;

• (b) sections 26 and 27;

• (c) sections 35 and 36;

• (d) section 39, this section and sections 41 and 42.

• (2) Section 38 extends to Scotland only.

• (3) The remaining provisions of this Act extend to England and Wales only.

Commencement and transitional provision

41

• (1) Sections 39 and 40, this section and section 42 come into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

• (2) Section 31 comes into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.

• (3) Section 33 comes into force at the end of the period of six months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.

• (4) Section 38 comes into force—

• (a) for the purposes of making regulations, on the day on which this Act is passed;

• (b) for remaining purposes, on such day as the Scottish Ministers may by regulations appoint.

• (5) The remaining provisions of this Act come into force—

• (a) for the purposes of making regulations, on the day on which this Act is passed;

• (b) for remaining purposes, on such day or days as the Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument appoint.

• (6) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make transitional or saving provision in connection with the coming into force of section 38.

• (7) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument make transitional or saving provision (in addition to any transitional and saving provision made by this Act) in connection with the coming into force of any other provision of this Act.

• (8) For regulations made by the Scottish Ministers under subsection (4)(b) or (6), see section 27 of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 10) (Scottish statutory instruments).

Short title

42

This Act may be cited as the Bus Services Act 2025.

Schedule

After Schedule 9 to the Transport Act 2000 insert—

Availability of franchising schemes

Specification of areas

Specification of services

Minimum period before provision of services

References to local services

Criteria for granting service permits

Registration of services provided under service permits

Substitute road services

Report on assessment of proposed scheme

Duty to consult persons with disabilities

Variation of schemes

Miscellaneous amendments

Direct award of contracts to incumbent operators

Socially necessary local services

Measures specified in schemes

Passenger benefit requirement

Variation of schemes

Requirements enabling travel by persons with disabilities

Objections by operators

Advance notice of requirement to provide information

Bus network accessibility plans

Local government bus companies

Grants

Information provided on registration of local services

Information about local services

Information obtained under Statistics of Trade Act 1947

Powers of inspectors

Local transport authority byelaws

Transport for London byelaws

Safety and accessibility of stopping places

Provision and design of floating bus stops

Duty to provide information to Secretary of State

Safeguarding duty: drivers of school services

Training about crime and anti-social behaviour

Training about disability

Training about disability: further provisions

Use of zero-emission vehicles for local services in England

Use of zero-emission vehicles for local services in Scotland

Power to make consequential provision

Extent

Commencement and transitional provision

Short title

After Schedule 9 to the Transport Act 2000 insert—

Editorial notes