Overview

This Bill aims to ensure that all towns in England with over 10,000 people have regular, seven-day-a-week bus services connecting to local health services like hospitals and GP surgeries. The Secretary of State will be legally obligated to achieve this.

Description

The Bus Services Bill places a legal duty on the Secretary of State to guarantee bus services in all English towns exceeding 10,000 residents. These services must operate seven days a week and include routes serving local hospitals and GP surgeries.

To fulfill this duty, the Secretary of State must consult with:

• Local authorities
• Integrated care boards
• Residents and their representative organizations.

The Secretary of State can create further regulations to comply with the duty, but these regulations must be approved by both Houses of Parliament.

The bill extends to England and Wales and will come into force upon passing.

Government Spending

The Bill doesn't specify exact figures for government spending. The cost will depend on the extent of subsidies required to support the mandated bus services in different areas.

Groups Affected

The bill will impact numerous groups:

• Residents of towns with over 10,000 people: Will potentially benefit from improved access to public transport and healthcare.
• Bus companies: May experience increased demand and potentially receive government funding.
• Local authorities and Integrated Care Boards: Will be involved in consultation and planning processes.
• Taxpayers: Will ultimately fund any required subsidies for bus services.
• Healthcare providers: May see increased patient access due to better transport links.

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