Senior Traffic Commissioner launches consultation on local bus service performance standards
The UK’s Senior Traffic Commissioner has opened a consultation to update how local bus service performance is assessed, focusing on punctuality, reliability and regulatory standards amid industry changes.
The Senior Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain has launched a public consultation to review how traffic commissioners evaluate local bus services, including punctuality, reliability and broader regulatory expectations. The review aims to determine whether existing standards remain appropriate given shifts in legislation, technology and industry practices. Statutory Document No. 14, which governs regulatory responses to underperforming services, has not been significantly updated in over ten years, prompting this reassessment.
The consultation invites input from bus operators, local authorities, passenger groups and other stakeholders to assess if the current 95% punctuality benchmark—defined as services operating within one minute early to five minutes late—remains suitable for 2026. It also seeks views on whether clearer guidance is needed for services failing to meet standards, particularly regarding improvement plans before formal regulatory action is taken.
Emerging technologies, such as real-time passenger information systems, and evolving operating environments are also under review to determine their impact on regulatory expectations. The Senior Traffic Commissioner has already engaged with key stakeholders during the proposal’s development and is now seeking broader feedback to refine future guidance.
The consultation is open to responses from individuals and organisations, with submissions accepted via email or post. The evidence collected will directly inform updates to statutory guidance and directions issued by the Senior Traffic Commissioner, shaping the regulatory framework for local bus services moving forward.