Issue details
National Bus Strategy – award of consultancy support contract
On 15 March 2021 the Department for Transport
(DFT) published Bus back better: National bus strategy for
England.
The National Bus Strategy (NBS) sets out government’s vision
for improving bus services across the country covering both
recovery from Covid-19 and longer terms aspirations to reverse the
trend in decreasing patronage. The NBS provides clear direction
that government expects local transport authorities to work in
partnership with their local bus operators to develop plans for
service improvement and longer term investment. It has identified
the need for a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to be published
by the end of October 2021 and the establishment of Enhanced
Partnership agreements with bus operators from April 2022.
The NBS makes it clear that future central government funding for
local bus services will be dependent on Local Transport Authorities
(LTAs) committing to establishing an EP and government funding
provided directly to operators will be dependent on each of them
signing up to an EP.
The development of a BSIP and establishment of an EP is consistent
with Cabinet’s recent decision confirming its preferred
transport strategy.
DfT has provided £100k to the council in the form of a
capacity grant to progress the work required to deliver a BSIP and
EP. This funding will be used to cover the full costs of contract
NBSHC211 with the 10 month extension being dependent on further
funding being received from DfT.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 08/06/2021
Decision due: 8 June 2021 by Acting Assistant Director for Highways and Transport
Contact: Adam Houchen, Transport Services Manager Email: adam.houchen@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Decisions