The cost and benefits of franchising and enhanced partnerships vary by authority. The Bus Services Act 2017 Impact Assessment details cost benefit analysis of illustrative scenarios.<\/p>
<\/p>
It is for Mayoral Combined Authorities and other local transport authorities on a case-by-case basis to decide whether to pursue franchising or an enhanced partnership.<\/p>
<\/p>
The franchising legislation specifically requires a franchising assessment business case, which considers the costs and benefits of franchising, to be prepared by the authority.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-19T14:29:48.423Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bus Services: Cost Benefit Analysis"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the National Bus Strategy, what cost-benefit analysis his Department has undertaken on the value of (a) bus franchising and (b) enhanced partnerships.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"} ], "uin" : "178668"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307106", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307106/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Bus passenger journey statistics are collected and published by the Department quarterly.<\/p>
The Bus Services Act 2017 Impact Assessment estimates the impact of franchising and enhanced partnerships on patronage. Under franchising, we estimated that there will be a significant increase in patronage as a result of fare simplification as Local Transport Authorities take control of bus fare revenue. Under enhanced partnerships, we estimated that patronage will increase as a result of journey quality improvements.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-20T09:25:48.337Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bus Services"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the change in bus patronage as a result of bus franchising and enhanced partnerships compared to operation of the deregulated bus market.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"} ], "uin" : "178965"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307107", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307107/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The National Bus Strategy, published on 15 March, sets out the Government\u2019s ambitious vision for bus networks across the country, making services more frequent, more reliable, easier to understand and use, better co-ordinated and cheaper.<\/p>
<\/p>
By the end of October 2021, Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) are expected to publish Bus Service Improvement Plans, setting out how they will achieve the Strategy\u2019s ambitious vision for travel by bus in their area. The Department will shortly publish detailed guidance to assist LTAs on preparing their plans.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-19T14:33:00.503Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bus Services"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria his Department plans to use to define model networks in the National Bus Strategy.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"} ], "uin" : "178672"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307108", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307108/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) have the ability to subsidise bus services that are not commercially viable and which they determine necessary for their local area. As outlined in the Strategy, we expect LTAs in collaboration with bus operators to deliver more comprehensive, socially necessary services, including services to smaller and isolated places and more services in the evenings and at weekends.<\/p>
<\/p>
We will issue further guidance on the meaning and role of socially necessary services in due course.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-19T14:34:33.737Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bus Services"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the definition is of socially necessary networks in the National Bus Strategy.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"} ], "uin" : "178966"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307109", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307109/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The National Bus Strategy sets out the Government\u2019s vision for bus services, and how it will be delivered through local transport authorities (LTAs) using existing powers in the Bus Services Act 2017 to form Enhanced Partnership and franchising arrangements; those powers provide the statutory backing for delivery. The strategy sets out what LTAs and bus operators must do, and from when, in order to access discretionary sources of bus funding, including the £3 billion for buses announced in February 2020.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-19T14:38:34.843Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bus Services"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to provide statutory backing to the policy proposals in the National Bus Strategy.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"} ], "uin" : "178967"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307110", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307110/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The National Bus Strategy, published on 15 March, sets an expectation that by 30 June, Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) and their local bus operators have committed to establishing an Enhanced Partnership or the LTA has started the statutory process of franchising bus services.<\/p>
<\/p>
From 1 July 2021, only LTAs and operators who meet these requirements will continue to receive the Covid-19 Bus Services Support Grant or any new sources of bus funding. From April 2022, LTAs will need to have an Enhanced Partnership in place, or be following the statutory process to decide whether to implement a franchising scheme, in order to receive the new discretionary schemes of bus funding.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "178676"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-19T14:40:41.957Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bus Services: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the funding identified in the National Bus Strategy is dependant on a local transport authority committing to either a franchise or an enhanced partnership arrangement for the provision of their bus services.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"} ], "uin" : "178968"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307111", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307111/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
<\/strong><\/p> The National Bus Strategy announced £3 billion of transformational and long-term funding for buses.<\/p> <\/p> In addition, the Government currently provides up to £27 million a week to support bus services through the COVID-19 Bus Services Support Grant scheme and the ongoing Bus Service Operator Grant which is worth approximately £260 million each year. The Government also supports council spending of around £1 billion a year on concessionary travel.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-19T14:42:14.7Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bus Services: Finance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to make funding for buses available beyond the £3 billion worth of funding set out in the National Bus Strategy.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"}
], "uin" : "178674"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307113", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307113/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The National Bus Strategy, published on 15 March, sets an expectation that by 30 June, Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) and their local bus operators have committed to establishing an Enhanced Partnership or the LTA has started the statutory process of franchising bus services.<\/p> <\/p> From 1 July 2021, only LTAs and operators who meet these requirements will continue to receive the Covid-19 Bus Services Support Grant or any new sources of bus funding. From April 2022, LTAs will need to have an Enhanced Partnership in place, or be following the statutory process to decide whether to implement a franchising scheme, in order to receive the new discretionary schemes of bus funding.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-19T14:40:42.003Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bus Services"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is mandatory for every combined authority and local transport authority to commit to a franchise or an enhanced partnership arrangement for the provision of their bus services by the end of June 2021.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"}
], "uin" : "178676"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307114", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307114/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " An enhanced partnership scheme specifies standards of service that must be met by all operators running local bus services in the scheme area, regardless of whether they receive subsidy. A private bus operator cannot provide local bus services outside of the terms of an enhanced partnership arrangement, irrespective of how the bus operator is funded. The only exemption is for community bus services provided under section 22 of the Transport Act 1985.<\/p> <\/p> These standards can apply in a specific geographical area set out in the enhanced partnership scheme. For example, it can require all local bus operators running services in that area to participate in a defined multi-operator ticketing scheme. Or standards can apply to individual bus routes. For example, it can specify limits on the frequency of local bus services on that route.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-19T14:43:47.147Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bus Services: Private Sector"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether a private bus operator will be permitted to provide bus services outside of an enhanced partnership arrangement as proposed in the National Bus Strategy in the event that that operator is willing to forego any form of public subsidy for the provision of those bus services.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"}
], "uin" : "178969"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307116", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307116/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Bus Services Act 2017 prevents further local authority-owned bus companies being set up from scratch, and the National Bus Strategy commits that we will review whether that remains right.<\/p> <\/p> If the review concludes it should be changed, a legislative proposal will be brought forward in due course. We will also update our existing guidance on using the Enhanced Partnership and franchising powers in the Act, to make it easier for operators and local transport authorities to focus on what they want to achieve.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-19T14:45:55.353Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bus Services Act 2017"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the provisions of the Bus Services Act 2017.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"}
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, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"}
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