Guidance

Bus franchising manual

Practical guide to support local authorities with the bus franchising process.

• From: Department for Transport
• Published: 29 January 2026

Applies to England

Documents

Bus franchising manual : advice to local transport authorities on the bus franchising process

PDF, 18.8 MB, 138 pages

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Details

The bus franchising manual gives local transport authorities practical support for each stage of the franchising process. It includes:

• case studies and examples of good practice
• a range of potential franchising models, and how these might work in practice
• advice on how to realise the benefits and mitigate the risks of bus franchising

The manual supports the main guidance on setting up a bus franchising scheme.

Published 29 January 2026