Minister promotes bus apprenticeships by taking learner test

Local transport minister, Simon Lightwood, took part in a competition against a team of pro cricketers to showcase the difficulty of the learner bus driver test, in order to promote apprenticeships for the next generation of bus drivers.

The trial was arranged by First Bus and demonstrated the high skill level and rigorous standard expected of all bus staff.

The government is supporting apprentices in the bus sector by including measures to enhance their training in the upcoming Bus Services Bill. £1 billion of investment is to go towards improving bus infrastructure, enhance bus service frequency, and reliability and boost bus connectivity, including the incoming Bus Services Bill.

As part of the new Bus Services Bill, staff are to receive mandatory training on improving women’s safety by responding to anti-social behaviour and incidents of violence against women and girls, as well as giving local authorities greater powers over bus services. The bill is to be introduced in the House of Commons shortly.

This follows the first of many panel sessions for industry bosses, local leaders, and government representatives, which took place in Sheffield on 13th March 2025.

Local authorities are currently being supported with £1 billion is bus service improvement funding, including £17.8 million for Essex County Council to maintain and improve bus services and enhance infrastructure.