questionText: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that local SME bus operators are able to participate in future bus franchising schemes.
answerText: The Bus Services Act 2017 already requires an authority to make a statement on how they will facilitate SMEs in service provision as part of the franchising process. On 9 September 2024, the Department consulted on updates to bus franchising guidance, the...
heading: Bus Services: Franchises