Bus services could be run by councils

  • Post last modified:September 9, 2024
  • Reading time:9 mins read


The Labour Party government is looking at plans which will lift the ban on local councils setting up community bus companies. This would allow local leaders to take bus services back into public control:

Bus services: from public to private – and now back again?

In the 1980’s, bus services outside of London were privatised and therefore deregulated. The government then gave metro mayors limited powers as part of devolution. This meant they could set their own routes and timetables. The government also wants to launch a consultation which would simplify the franchising process.

Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester introduced franchised bus services – however it took more than five years to do so:

People on X were quick to point out that whilst this is a great idea – the execution is going to be the important part. It could go one of two ways:

Funding local councils

Years of austerity mean that most local councils are already making hard decisions. Has Labour really sat and thought about how councils are going to fund this initiative? Realistically, how many will actually be able to?

Without proper investment, local councils are only going to face more trouble:

Will it actually make the services better?

We all know that most local councils couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery. From messing up bin collections, planning permissions, and postal votes to overspending by nearly half a million pounds.

Clearly, we should be asking questions as to whether they can handle the extra responsibility of keeping public transport operational. At least bus companies already know what they’re doing – which is more than can be said for local councils:

However, many people pointed out that in places like Greater Manchester, they are already seeing the benefits of publicly owned bus services:

Maybe this is all some sick plot to keep old people warm this winter? More regular bus services means old people spending less time at home, unable to afford heating. At least buses are generally warm:

While in principle this seems like a great idea – the execution is going to be the important part.

If they can pull this off well – the benefits would be huge.

From reducing traffic and therefore air pollution to making transport more affordable and stopping private companies taking huge profits.

However, if the Labour government isn’t allocating hard and fast cash to help councils put in place their own bus services, then they won’t get far at all.

Feature image via Ad Meskens/Wikimedia Commons 





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