The new Bus Bill has become law, aimed at making it easier for local leaders to take control of their buses.
Buses are the most used form of public transport in England, but around 300 million fewer miles were driven by bus services in England in 2024 compared to 2010.
The new bill will end the risk of routes being scrapped at short notice by tightening the requirements for cancelling vital routes.
The law will empower councils to identify services which they deem as socially necessary, meaning strict requirements must be followed if operators wish to cancel or change them.
It will also lift the ban on local authorities setting up their own bus companies, allowing them to run their own services to ensure.
Staff will be mandated to undertake training to recognise and handle incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime, including violence against women and girls.
New funding for local authorities will be agreed in the coming weeks.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "For too long catching the bus has felt like an ordeal, with unreliable services and cuts to key routes meaning many communities, particularly those in rural areas, have been left isolated.
"The passing of our vital Bus Services Act will finally change this. By making it easier for local leaders to take control of their buses we are putting passengers first, improving access to jobs, education and tourism opportunities which are all vital to growing the economy – a fundamental part of our Plan for Change."
Corinne Pluchino, chief executive of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), said: "The lack of reliable, affordable public transport in rural areas is a widespread problem which impacts on those in greatest need and holds back economic growth. We welcome the new measures to require the identification and listing of socially necessary local services, and new requirements if bus operators want to cancel or change them. This is an important first step to achieving better rural bus services, and ACRE looks forward to working with government to ensure the Act delivers positive change for rural communities."
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