Aylesbury MP backs Government's plans to overhaul bus services in England

This week, the Government announced proposals to give local authorities extra powers to control bus timetables, fare rates, and routes.

It is hoped that the new legislation will address current issues with public transport where private companies avoid scrutiny when services are late or routes are missed.

Currently, only elected mayors such as Sadiq Khan in London and Andy Burnham in Manchester, have the powers to dictate public transport services.

Laura Kyrke-Smith, Aylesbury’s new MP, said: “I am so pleased to see the Labour Government moving fast and taking bold steps to deliver better buses for local communities in Buckinghamshire.

“After fourteen years of Conservative failure, our local bus services have been driven into the ground.

“For too long, my constituents across Aylesbury have put up with unacceptable delays, cancellations and scrapped services, including Arriva’s decision to end bus services to Oxford and High Wycombe.

“The Labour Government’s plan for better buses will give communities like Aylesbury the power to take back control of their bus services, and will support local leaders to deliver better buses, faster.”

However, others have questioned whether the ‘franchising model’ can be funded locally. The leader of the Conservative-controlled Bucks Council, Councillor Martin Tett said on X: “The Government talking this morning re: new 'bus franchising ' powers for local councils outside of cities. But, unless the powers come with frankly massive capital funding for new bus purchases and new revenue funding for subsidising the network this is meaningless.”