The Traffic Commisioners have issued an update regarding applications to cancel or vary local bus service registrations at shorter notice than the 42 days statutory period for England and 56 days period for Wales in response to the ongoing funding situation.
In February 2023 the Traffic Commissioners issued a statement setting out their approach to applications requesting short notice variations or cancellations of local bus services, reflecting the uncertainty faced by operators whilst discussions on future funding of local bus services were taking place within both the UK and Welsh Governments. Following recent announcements of further funding by both the UK and Welsh Governments, the Traffic Commissioners have reviewed their approach and decided that the practice of accepting short notice applications for services where funding uncertainty is cited as the reason should now cease on 21 July.
The Traffic Commissioners said: “We stress: this does not preclude applications for short notice dispensation for this reason, but operators will have to satisfy the Traffic Commissioner that the circumstances could not have been reasonably foreseen to allow an application to be made in the required timescale. Operators should be aware that such applications received by a traffic commissioner after 21 July 2023 are unlikely to be accepted.
“This decision reflects the current position within the country and allows operators and local authorities an additional few weeks to consider their registration requirements before making any changes ahead of the new school year in September.”
