Luke Myer MP has welcomed the Bus Services Act becoming law, marking what he called “a new era for local transport and accountability” after months of campaigning for change on behalf of Teesside communities.
The new Act will make it easier for local leaders to take control of bus routes, cap fares, and ensure services are run for passengers rather than profit. It also requires operators to provide training for drivers to handle anti-social behaviour, with a particular focus on improving safety for women and girls.
Luke helped shape the legislation while serving on the Bill Committee earlier this year, attending every sitting and speaking up for residents across East Cleveland and South Middlesbrough. He used the debates to highlight local examples of unreliable and cut-off routes, including those in North Skelton and Brotton, as well as raising issues with safety on public transport in Hemlington. He pressed ministers to strengthen protections for rural and socially necessary services.
The new law fulfils a key commitment by Labour to reverse years of decline in bus services and give power back to local areas. Across England, 300 million fewer bus miles were driven in 2024 compared to 2010, leaving many communities isolated and dependent on expensive alternatives.
Luke Myer MP said:
“I’m proud to have helped shape this new law. This is a big step forward for Teesside and for passengers who have been let down for too long. The Bus Services Act will put power in local hands to fix our buses. The funding is there, the powers are there – it’s now time for the Mayor to get on and deliver.”
The changes follow Luke’s East Cleveland Growth Plan, launched in September at British Steel in Skinningrove, which called for better transport links and investment across rural villages. The plan urged the Tees Valley Combined Authority to explore bus franchising, expand the Tees Flex service, and integrate school and SEND transport into the wider network.
Luke’s call came months after Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen rejected Labour council proposals to study a franchising system, describing it as “too expensive”. In contrast, Luke and other local leaders have pointed to Manchester’s publicly controlled Bee Network, which has already improved reliability and passenger satisfaction.
Nationally, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the Act would “finally end the ordeal of unreliable buses” and allow councils to deliver routes that work for their communities. The Act is supported by the TUC, Action with Communities in Rural England, and the Urban Transport Group, which have hailed it as a turning point for local public transport.
The government will now agree new funding with councils to begin implementing the powers in the months ahead. Luke has pledged to keep pushing for Teesside to be at the front of the queue.