The Transport Select Committee has launched an inquiry on the Bus Services Bill.
The Committee may produce a short report on the Bill to inform the House’s deliberations. It said it is interested in the extent to which legislation is required in this area, and if so, whether the current Bill addresses the correct issues.
The Committee added that it has requested evidence on the extent to which the provisions of the Bill are likely to achieve improved passenger services, greater passenger numbers and a robust bus sector.
Written submissions can be sent to the Transport Select Committee, which should address the following:
- The need for the Bill;
- Whether the Bill addresses the correct issues;
- How Advanced Quality Partnerships and Enhanced Partnerships are likely to contribute to the Government’s aims of improving services for passengers and enabling a successful commercial sector;
- The appropriateness of limiting the automatic right to introduce franchising to combined authorities with elected mayors;
- The likely effect of franchising on small and medium operators;
- The effectiveness of the measures relating to open data and how these could improve the accessibility of bus transport;
- The basis for a prohibition on new municipal bus companies delivering bus services, particularly in non-franchised areas; and
- Measures in the Bill relating to ticketing schemes and new technologies.
The deadline for written submissions is Friday, August 26, 2016, with any evidence submitted after this date still being accepted, but not certain to inform the oral evidence session.
INFO
To send a written submission, visit https://tinyurl.com/ze79kpm.
