The King has confirmed the new Government will bring forward legislation to bring bus services more closely under public control.

At the state opening of Parliament, King Charles told peers and MPs a Bill would be introduced to allow local leaders to take control of their local bus services. 

A briefing document said a Better Buses Bill will deliver Labour's manifesto commitment to reform the bus system in England by delivering new powers for local leaders to franchise bus services and lift the restriction on the creation of publicly-owned bus operators.

The Government also plans to ‘step in' to safeguard local bus networks by providing more accountability over bus operators, ensuring standards are raised across the country and giving local leaders more control and flexibility over bus funding.