The Department for Transport has today (2 April) launched a sweeping new strategy to overhaul bus travel across England, promising a “reliable, affordable and green” alternative to the private car.
The policy paper marks a significant shift in transport priorities. Central to the plan is the expansion of franchising powers, allowing local leaders to seize control of routes, timetables and fares from private operators.
Ministers say the move will end the “postcode lottery” of service quality. Key pillars of the 2026 vision include a nationwide rollout of “tap-and-go” contactless payments and a multi-billion-pound commitment to a 10-year zero-emission bus pipeline.
Read the full policy paper: The government’s vision for buses and approach to delivery
