12

Bus funding reform proceeding slowly for 12 years, with further delays anticipated.

Recommendation
We are concerned about the slow pace of reform to date.24 The Department has been attempting to reform its main bus grant to operators for 12 years.25 The Department told us it had been overtaken by events and had wanted to avoid any sudden changes in funding that would have adverse impacts on services. It expects to take another two to three years to reform bus funding.26
Government Response

A response document is linked to this report, dated 19 January 2026. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.

Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.9 yr
Report published 29 Oct 2025