Member

I thank the noble Lord, Lord Moylan, for raising the importance of local engagement when considering bus services. Indeed, this Bill is designed to give local transport authorities greater control of their bus services to reflect the needs of local people. This amendment would place a statutory duty on franchising authorities to consult local stakeholders, including passenger groups, before using the powers to design and pay grants to bus operators. However, noble Lords should note that, in his amendment’s helpful explanatory statement, the noble Lord states that he intends this power to relate to “direct awards”, which are contractual arrangements, rather than grants.