After last week’s policy announcements affecting the bus sector — including the passing of the Bus Services Act 2025, the Government’s response to the Transport Committee’s Buses Connecting Communities report, and the Public Accounts Committee’s new report on Local Bus Services in England, ITS UK has issued its response to the ideas.

Chief Executive Max Sugarman, said: “On behalf of the transport technology sector, we welcome the Bus Services Act and the new powers it grants Mayors and local authorities to integrate their transport networks. Technology stands at the heart of delivering joined-up, seamless journeys for the public, and we look forward to working with authorities around the country as they work to make their bus networks part of one holistic transport system.

“As the Public Account Committee’s report on buses published this week shows, there is much more for technology to do to support our bus network. The report highlights that fewer than one in six bus users has live updates at their bus stop, with great disparity between different parts of the country. It is positive that the Committee calls on Government to set out how it will help local authorities in achieving this.

“Also published this week was the Government’s response to the Buses Connecting Communities report, which ITS UK gave evidence to. It is very welcome to see Government back our call for a change in VAT rules for Demand Responsive Transport services, which act as a barrier for authorities in using this innovative form of public transport. As the Budget approaches, we strongly urge the Treasury to consider this cost-neutral change, which could have such a significant benefit to rural communities that rely on DRT services.”

(File picture – TfGM)