The Government has overseen a ‘broken bus system’, says Haigh

At transport department questions on Thursday, shadow secretary of state for transport Louis Haigh accused the Government of overseeing a “broken bus system”.

Ms Haigh said: “Instead of continuing to defend this broken bus system, will he extend franchising powers nationwide, remove the hurdles operators use to block reform and finally put power and control over routes and fares into the hands of the communities who depend on them?”.

The under-secretary of state for roads and local transport Richard Holden replied: “The Honourable Lady will be aware that there are bus service improvement plans and, indeed, devolution deals allow franchising powers to go forwards and Labour mayors, if they want them, can apply for them”.