The Bus Services Bill has officially become law (on 27 October 2025), introducing reforms aimed at improving bus services across England.
The new law gives more power to local authorities — they will be able to identify and protect “socially necessary” bus routes, making it harder for companies to cancel or change vital services at short notice.
Key points of the new law:
- Local authorities are now allowed to run their own bus companies, increasing their ability to directly manage routes in the public interest rather than leaving everything to private operators.
- It also eases restrictions on franchising of bus services — under the legislation, local areas will have more flexibility to use franchising (where the authority controls routes/fares but contracts private firms) more quickly and widely.
- The Act mandates training for staff and drivers (including those at bus stations) to better respond to anti-social behaviour and violence, with emphasis on improving safety for women and girls.
- Extra funding support for local authorities will be provided (details to be agreed in coming weeks) to help implement the changes.
Read full news on DfT website: New era of better buses: Landmark Bus Bill becomes law
