Setting up a bus franchising scheme
Guidance for local transport authorities in England on how to set up a bus franchising scheme to improve local bus services.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
Guidance explaining how local transport authorities in England can:
- establish a franchising scheme for bus services in line with the Bus Services Act 2017 and the Bus Services Act 2025
- use this mechanism to deliver their transport priorities
This guidance outlines the statutory and non-statutory processes of establishing bus franchising.
The bus franchising manual
The bus franchising manual supports this guidance. It gives local transport authorities practical support for each stage of the franchising process.
Enhanced partnerships
Bus franchising is one of two options available to local authorities when working in partnership with bus operators. The alternative is an enhanced partnership arrangement.
Updates to this page
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Guidance updated.
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Updated guidance added.
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Updated guidance published.
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Addition of service permit appeal procedures.
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An additional paragraph (1.107) provides further guidance regarding reducing the area to which a franchising scheme relates, or revoking a franchising scheme.
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First published.