Delivering the future of bus services
This week the Government’s Bus Services Bill received royal assent, paving the way for a major overhaul of local bus services in England. Janette Bell, Managing Director for First Bus, which serves 1.5 million passengers every day, shares her views on what the new powers for local authorities mean for local bus services, and how renewed collaboration between councils and bus operators is key to making this new future a success.
Transport Minister Simon Lightwood (left) visited First Bus’ York Depot days before the Bus Services Bill received royal assent
Last week we were delighted to host Transport Minister Simon Lightwood at our York depot just days before the Government’s Bus Services Bill received royal assent. The Bill is a bold step towards transforming local transport in England. By giving councils greater control over networks, fares and service standards, and by strengthening requirements around accessibility, safety and environmental performance, the Bill sets a new direction for how buses should serve local communities.
As the industry starts to transition into this new world, it’s clear that success will depend not just on legislation, but on effective collaboration between public authorities and experienced operators. The challenges ahead, such as decarbonisation, social inclusion, and network reliability, require shared commitment and practical delivery.
The Bill rightly enables local authorities to choose which direction suits their local communities, whether through franchising, whereby local authorities plan and control local bus networks, or enhanced partnerships, where local authorities work closely with bus operators to improve bus services. Both require strong operational capability and decades of experience in delivering for customers.
Franchising will give local authorities control and flexibility over bus services, but it also demands significant resources and commercial expertise. Enhanced partnerships, meanwhile, allow for rapid progress when operators and authorities work in collaboration to bring passenger benefits.
First Bus improved customer journeys in its first franchised year as part of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network
In Rochdale’s franchised Bee Network for Transport for Greater Manchester our punctuality has improved by more than 10 per cent, and in London, where we operate 81 routes under contract to Transport for London, we lead performance tables.
Meanwhile, in Portsmouth, our enhanced partnership has increased passenger numbers by 41 per cent during the 2022-25 Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) period, and in the West of England, our partnership with the mayoral combined authority and North Somerset Council, built on transparency and close collaboration, has allowed us to cap fares since September 2022, consistently grow passenger numbers through joint investment after building back the network following the pandemic and ensure that by next year about 750,000 people each week will travel electric thanks to nearly £150m investment in zero-tailpipe emission buses and electrifying depots.
The electrified depot at Hengrove in Bristol and fleet of zero-tailpipe emission buses made possible through an enhanced partnership with local transport authorities
Buses are a lifeline
One important area the Bill focuses on is a requirement for councils to identify and protect “socially necessary” routes. In communities where up to 40 per cent of households lack access to a car, buses are a lifeline, so it's important that we continually explore opportunities to improve our networks.
We also believe cost savings must benefit passengers. Our profit-sharing model in Hampshire’s Eclipse Busway reinvests in infrastructure and customer experience, demonstrating how public and private collaboration can deliver lasting value.
Accessibility and safety are non-negotiable
First Bus marks the launch of its partnership with Strut Safe to help passengers feel safe and supported
The Bill’s emphasis on accessibility and safety is welcome. Every local authority will be required to produce a Bus Network Accessibility Plan, and operators must support this with inclusive design, staff training and meaningful consultation.
Our partnerships with White Ribbon and Strut Safe to tackle violence against women and girls are improving passenger safety, and our driver training programmes, disability awareness initiatives, and “Extra Help to Travel” cards, developed with Age UK and Disability Action Alliance, ensure inclusive travel for all.
More than £2 invested for every £1 of public funding on decarbonisation
First Bus’ electrified depot in Leicester and its fleet of green zero-tailpipe emission buses
The transition to zero-emission fleets is one of the most ambitious, and necessary, elements of the Bill. But it comes with high upfront costs and complex infrastructure requirements. We’ve committed to a fully zero-tailpipe emission fleet by 2035 and have already invested over £300 million, more than £2 for every £1 of public funding. Our dedicated in-house construction team also provides far-ranging skills and expertise in what can be complex infrastructure projects.
We charge our buses overnight, freeing up infrastructure for use by emergency services, SMEs and commercial fleets during the day. Our depots support Police Scotland, DPD, Centrica and others, demonstrating how transport investment can benefit entire communities. And our partnership with the City of York replaced the entire fleet with electric buses, achieving net-zero depot status and record Park & Ride usage.
We’ve also opened our first Battery Energy Storage site in Hampshire with another coming online by the end of this year in Aberdeen, helping to support the UK’s electricity network.
Not just about removing barriers for local councils
We recognise the Bill is trying to remove barriers to empower local authorities even further, but what really matters is the ability to deliver reliable, inclusive and sustainable services, whether through public provision, private partnership, or something in between.
Authorities should consider the full range of options, including models where operators take on commercial risk and invest in fleet and infrastructure. Our experience shows that enhanced collaboration, backed by private investment and operational expertise, can deliver rapid, cost-effective improvements.
In Aberdeen, for instance, the implementation of bus priority routes has reduced journey times by 25 per cent and increased weekend passenger numbers by 20 per cent.
First Bus celebrating better journeys for customers thanks to new bus priority routes in Aberdeen
We’re ready to play our part
The Bus Services Bill lays the foundation for a new way of delivering local bus services. But legislation alone won’t be enough. Success depends on collaboration between government, councils, operators and communities.
At First Bus, we are ready to play our part. With the right partnerships, we can continue building networks that meet local needs, support economic growth and help the UK meet its net-zero goals.
This article first appeared in Coach and Bus Week Magazine in October 2025.