Please note - the entire text of the bill has been amended here. (saves me attaching the link to every line of the bill!)

Bus Priority and Accessibility Bill

A

B I L L

T O

enhance the priority and accessibility of bus services on UK roads, promote sustainable transportation, and improve the overall efficiency of public transport networks.

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as follows:-

1 Duty of local authorities to implement bus priority measures

(1) Local authorities may designate a route as a key bus corridor.

(2) Local authorities must designate routes on which a significant number of buses travel each day as a key bus corridor.

(3) Local authorities should seek to implement bus priority measures on key bus corridors.

(4) A bus priority measure may not be implemented unless the local authority has complied with the notice and consultation requirements imposed by section 2 of this Act.

(5) Bus priority measures include—

(a) designating a part of a road as a bus lane,
(b) ensuring that traffic lights give priority to buses over other vehicular traffic,
(c) constructing bus shelters at bus stops,
(d) constructing other infrastructure at bus stops to enable passengers to board and disembark buses safely,
(e) measures to synchronise bus services with other transport services, and
(f) other measures which in the view of the local authority will lead to more persons travelling on bus services.

2 Consultation as to proposed bus priority measure

(1) If a local authority proposes to implement a bus priority measure under section 1(3), they shall give notice of the proposed measure in such manner as they consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of persons in the area to which it relates.

(2) After giving notice of the proposed measure, the local authority shall consult—

(a) all operators of transport services who are, in the opinion of the local authority, likely to be affected by it;
(b) such organisations appearing to the local authority to be representative of users of transport services as they think fit;
(c) persons whose sole or main residence is in the area the measure relates to,
(d) persons who own a company in the area the measure relates to,
(e) the traffic commissioner; and
(f) such other persons as the local authority think fit.

3 Implementation of bus priority measure

(1) If, having complied with section 2 of this Act, the local authority decide that it is appropriate to implement a bus priority measure, they may implement it—

(a) in the form proposed; or
(b) subject to such modifications as they may specify.

(3) The local authority shall give notice of the measure—

(a) in such manner as they consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of persons in the area to which the measure relates;
(b) to all operators of transport services who are, in the opinion of the local authority, likely to be affected by it;
(c) to every other person consulted in relation to the measure under section 2(2); and
(d) to such other persons as the local authority sees fit.

4 Guidance from the Secretary of State on bus priority measures

(1) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to local authorities in relation to bus priority measures.

(2) Local authorities must have regard to such guidance.

(3) Guidance issued under this section shall be published in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(4) The Secretary of State may at any time vary or revoke guidance issued by them under this section.

5 Reports on bus priority measures

(1) No less than once a year, a local authority should publish a report on bus priority measures implemented by the authority.

(2) The report should include—

(a) an assessment of the effectiveness of bus priority measures implemented by the authority,
(b) targets for increasing the number of persons who travel on bus services,
(c) an assessment of the progress made towards meeting that target since the previous report was published,
(d) targets for the reduction of greenhouse gases emitted by road vehicles in the area the bus priority measures implemented by the authority relate to, and
(e) an assessment of progress made towards meeting that target since the last report was published.

6 Interpretation

In this Act—

“bus” has the same meaning as “public service vehicle” in the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981
;
“transport service” has the same meaning as “public passenger transport service” in the Transport Act 1985
;
“local authority” means—
(a) a county council,
(b) a district council if there is no county council for that area,
(c) a London borough council,
(d) the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority, or
(e) the Council of the Isles of Scilly;
“bus stop” has the same meaning as “stopping place” in the Transport Act 1985;
“bus lane” means a part of a road which may be used—
(a) only by buses (or a particular description of bus), or
(b) only by buses (or a particular description of bus) and some other class or classes of vehicular traffic;
“road” has the same meaning as in the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981
;
“traffic light” has the same meaning as “traffic light installations” in section 74A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;
“bus shelter” means a shelter at a bus stop which is on the route of a local service for the use of persons intending to travel on the local service;
“local service” has the same meaning as in the Transport Act 1985;
"company" has the same meaning as in the Companies Acts;
"Companies Acts" has the same meaning as in the Companies Act 2006;
"greenhouse gas" has the same meaning as in the Climate Change Act 2008.

7 Commencement

This Act comes into force at the end of the period of 3 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.

8 Extent

This Act extends to England.

9 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Bus Priority and Accessibility Act 2023.

This bill was submitted by u/Leftywalrus CBE, 1st Baron Wetwang on behalf of the Official Opposition.

Opening Statement

My Lords,

Today, I stand before you to present a visionary and transformative piece of legislation—the Bus Priority and Accessibility Act 2023. This Act marks a significant milestone in our commitment to revolutionise the UK's public transportation system and create a future where buses become the backbone of sustainable and efficient travel.

Our public transportation networks are the lifeblood of our communities, connecting people, facilitating economic growth, and reducing congestion. However, we recognise that our bus services face numerous challenges, hindering their effectiveness and leaving commuters frustrated. That is why we have crafted this Act—a comprehensive framework designed to prioritise buses and ensure they have the infrastructure and support they need to thrive.

Under the Bus Priority and Accessibility Act 2023, local authorities will be empowered to identify and designate key bus corridors for the implementation of bus priority measures. We firmly believe that buses should have unobstructed routes, allowing them to move swiftly through our towns and cities. This Act will facilitate the creation of dedicated bus lanes, ensuring buses can navigate through traffic with ease. Signal priority systems will give buses the green light they need, minimising delays and keeping services on schedule. Furthermore, the introduction of bus-only streets and restricted access areas will provide a reliable and efficient environment for buses to operate.

Accessibility is a fundamental pillar of this Act. We believe that public transportation should be inclusive and cater to the needs of all individuals. Therefore, the Bus Priority and Accessibility Act 2023 mandates the provision of infrastructure that supports safe and easy boarding and alighting of passengers, including accessible bus stops and shelters. By investing in accessible infrastructure, we are sending a clear message that everyone, regardless of ability, deserves equal access to our public transportation system.

We understand that funding is a crucial component of implementing these ambitious measures. Therefore, this Act establishes a robust funding mechanism, ensuring that local authorities have the necessary resources to deliver on their bus priority plans. We will work diligently to allocate funds effectively, prioritising projects that have a transformative impact on our bus services and benefit the communities they serve.

In the spirit of collaboration and effective governance, we emphasise the importance of consultation and stakeholder engagement. Local authorities will be required to consult with bus operators, public transportation users, residents, and businesses during the planning and implementation stages. We value the input and expertise of these stakeholders, as they will help shape the bus priority measures to best meet the needs of our communities.

To ensure transparency and accountability, this Act mandates regular assessments and evaluations of bus priority measures. Local authorities will provide periodic progress reports, allowing us to monitor the implementation and impact of these measures. The Transport Committee of Parliament will review these reports and make recommendations to further enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of our bus services.

In conclusion, the Bus Priority and Accessibility Act 2023 represents a bold and ambitious vision for the future of public transportation in the United Kingdom. By prioritising buses on our roads and investing in accessible infrastructure, we are taking decisive steps towards a more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive transportation system.

This Act is a testament to our commitment to addressing the challenges faced by our bus services and delivering a transportation network that serves the needs of our citizens. We urge all members of this esteemed assembly to support the Bus Priority and Accessibility Act 2023, working together to create a brighter future for our communities and ensuring that our bus services become the backbone of sustainable and efficient travel.

Thank you.

This division shall end at 10pm GMT on the 6th November.