Open consultation

Draft amendment to the Competition Act 1998 (Public Transport Ticketing Schemes Block Exemption) Order 2001

Summary

This consultation seeks feedback on the legal drafting of an Order amending the Competition Act 1998 (Public Transport Ticketing Schemes Block Exemption) Order 2001.

This consultation closes at

Consultation description

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has accepted the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) recommendation to vary the Competition Act 1998 (Public Transport Ticketing Schemes Block Exemption) Order 2001 (PTTSBE) so that it will not expire on 28 February 2026 but will continue without fixed duration.

The Secretary of State has also accepted the CMA’s recommendation to make an amendment to the definition of ‘connecting service’ in Article 3 of the PTTSBE to clarify how the exemption relates to ‘trunk bus services’, which are long distance services that also have some parts operating as local public transport services.

The draft Order also makes provision for the Secretary of State to review the PTTSBE within 5 years of the date the Order comes into force and subsequently every 5 years.   

No other changes are being proposed to the PTTSBE.

Therefore, the purpose of the Order is to give effect to the CMA’s recommendation that the PTTSBE continues without fixed duration and to clarify how the exemption relates to trunk bus services.

The draft explanatory memorandum includes a more detailed explanation of the draft legislation.

This consultation welcomes views and feedback on this draft Order to ensure it delivers the policy correctly and effectively.

You can send your feedback and response to competitionpolicy@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

We will process your personal data in accordance with all applicable data protection laws. For more information, see our privacy notice.

Documents

Draft: The Competition Act 1998 (Public Transport Ticketing Schemes Block Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2025

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Draft: Explanatory Memorandum to The Competition Act 1998 Public Transport Ticketing Schemes Block Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2025

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Ways to respond

Updates to this page

Published 14 July 2025

Sign up for emails or print this page