Good news about buses

The Bus Services Bill 2025 was debated in Parliament recently. When this law is passed it will give local authorities the power to operate their own bus services. Such local control has not been possible outside London and the metropolitan areas since the Conservatives brought in bus deregulation in 1985. Lib Dems on MK City Council followed up with a motion asking the Cabinet to start preparing now.

Cllr Ben Adewale:

“I am proud that in Milton Keynes we have fought hard for our bus services. We will work with neighbouring councils to get the best deal for MK residents.”

In 2022, Lib Dems and MK council asked the government to return control of local bus services. The change won’t be immediate. It will take time to decide how to best use the new local transport powers. It's vital that planning starts early, so that we are ready when the powers are restored, and this motion ensures that that happens.