Ian Woodland
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ianw23.bsky.social
Ian Woodland
@ianw23.bsky.social
39 followers 33 following 26 posts
Camping, reading, watching, listening, understanding and MA. History fan. 100% Democracy and Science
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Reposted by Ian Woodland
josiahmortimer.bsky.social
This one is a big deal, in my view. Potentially marks an end to Thatcher-era deregulation of the buses across England. And it's the law as of last night: bylinetimes.com/2025/10/28/a...
1. London-Style Buses The boringly-named Bus Services (No. 2) Bill became law on Monday night (27th October), enabling local transport authorities to implement franchising schemes for bus services in England – potentially reversing the decades-old deregulation of buses which opponents say has contributed to spiralling prices and worsening, reduced services while transport firms pay millions to shareholders. But it will also end the (surprisingly recent) Conservative ban on councils setting up their own bus companies to directly compete with private firms. Buses are the most frequently used form of public transport and are relied on by millions of people – disproportionately lower-income workers, young people, retirees and more. Greater Manchester took up the opportunity of regulating buses by setting up the ‘Bee Network’, but the legal framework mayor Andy Burnham had to use to do it took years to utilise, and faced relentless challenge from transport firms. The new process is set to massively streamline it. This bill won’t make the front pages, but if councils take up the opportunity, it could revolutionise this vital form of transport in England. Cat Hobbs, director of pro-public ownership campaign We Own It, told Byline Times: “After 40 years of bus deregulation and privatisation, it’s fantastic that this government is making it easier to take back control of our buses,” though she also called for the ambition to be matched with extra funding to help make this a success. Hobbs added: “It’s excellent news that the absurd ideological ban on new publicly owned bus companies, introduced under the last government, has now been reversed. Publicly owned bus companies like Lothian Buses and Reading Buses consistently win awards for their brilliant services.” Transport for London-style transport in Cornwall, Leeds, and Newcastle, here we come?
October 28, 2025 at 10:50 AM