In the wake of the Bus Services Act 2025; the Confederation of Passenger Transport has launched a brand-new handbook that aims to educate Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) on the various different models for regulating local bus networks.
Developed in collaboration with Frontier Economics; the handbook, which is accompanied by an Excel toolkit, considers and assesses a number of models for local bus networks, using each as an example to demonstrate the variety of choice available to LTAs.
The handbook includes an overview of bus service regulatory models available for local authorities to choose from; an 8-step framework for the systematic working through of options and the making of a decision informed by evidence, expertise and stakeholder views; supporting evidence and illustrations of relevant factors to take into consideration; and a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) tool which aims to provide an objective score of the various alternative methods of regulating bus services.
Models showcased within the handbook include:
- Enhanced Partnerships: shared objectives agreed by operators and local authorities for bus networks, with decisions on routes, timetables and fares in the hands of commercial operators
- Evolved Enhanced Partnerships: broad commercial freedom for operators but shared decisions with local authorities on fares, ticketing, network and timetables
- Franchising – shared risk/Jersey model: operators are involved in the design of the network, and the model includes incentives to grow patronage through profit-sharing arrangements
- Franchising – “grow it out” model: tendered services are franchised as a first step with a view to expanding franchising to all services
- Franchising – micro-franchising: franchising applied to a tightly defined area, to maximise localised opportunities, but with an EP operating across the non-franchised areas
- Franchising – phased franchising model: a phased approach to franchising in the areas of most need
- Franchising – hybrid model: a model combining a number of features of the models above
Research within the handbook aims to outline a portion of the benefits of Enhanced Partnerships, including how they may effectively leverage the expertise and experience of operators whilst demanding a lower overall cost of implementation.
CPT has stated that the document will soon be followed by the publication of a Bus Franchising Manual, as well as an EP practical guide from the Department for Transport (DfT).
CPT Director of Policy and External Relations Alison Edwards said:There is more than one way to run a bus network. When it comes to England’s 79 widely varying local transport authorities, one size doesn’t fit all.
While bus passengers in some parts of the country may benefit from a franchised model with strong central control, services in other towns and cities are likely to prosper under Enhanced Partnerships with more commercial freedom for bus operators.
That's why we've worked with Frontier Economics to give local authorities clarity over the choices they have and an evidence-based toolkit to help them decide the best model for their area. We want to make sure buses are the best they can be for the 11 million journeys people make every day – getting the model right is the first step to making that happen.
The Handbook can be accessed here, whilst the Toolkit can be found here.
