Local Transport Bill

The Local Transport Bill, currently before Parliament, contains measures to improve public transport and tackle road congestion. Assuming the Bill receives Royal Assent, the Government propose to issue guidance and make secondary legislation to support the implementation of various provisions in the Bill. In preparation for this, and to inform debate in the remaining parliamentary stages of the Bill, the Department for Transport will shortly be publishing consultations covering:"draft guidance and regulations relating to quality partnership schemes and voluntary partnership agreements (to apply in England and, partly, in Wales); and""draft regulations needed to implement the new flexibilities for the community transport sector (to apply throughout Great Britain)." The Office of Fair Trading will also shortly be consulting on joint guidance with the Department, explaining how competition law applies in the bus market. This guidance will be relevant in England and Wales. The draft guidance and regulations, and accompanying consultation papers, will be made available on the Department for Transport website, and copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House. Other consultations related to the implementation of the Bill are expected to be published later in the year.