Failing bus services are to be given a boost under plans unveiled by Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander to ensure a viable alternative to private car use in areas that introduce congestion pricing.
The proposals include giving councils a bigger say
in setting bus frequency, timetables and fares
amid growing demands for action to improve poor services – in cities like Sheffield and Leeds – which have sparked an exodus of passengers.
Councils wanting the powers may have to show their plans aid the development of "demand management" that could include bus lanes and parking charges – although a Government report outlining the proposals says it is "increasingly" likely to include road pricing.
Traffic commissioners would also be able to hold both operators and local authorities to account for the performance of bus services.
The Government has also signalled that it will give regional transport chiefs the ability to take "a more coherent approach" to transport in the major English cities outside London. Local charities and community groups could also be allowed to provide services in areas poorly served by other transport.
Mr Alexander said "Some areas have seen a free-for-all, with the needs of passengers being neglected" since the bus industry was deregulated outside London in the 1980s.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman added it wanted to make it easier for councils to have greater powers over buses, but said it was important any scheme was part of a package of measures, which could include demand management.
Stephen Joseph, executive director of Transport 2000, said the proposals were rightly "partly about smoothing the way" to road charging but were also about making sure buses were integrated into a wider policy.
He added that motorists will be expected to get the bus into the most congested areas and that the Government's proposals were about providing an alternative to the car.
Regional public transport chiefs said they hoped the plans would mark a fresh start for bus services outside London – where regulation remains – and forward to working with Government.
The independent group Bus Users UK said it was glad the Government had recognised the value of good partnership between local authorities and the bus operators but warned that greater local authority involvement would not necessarily cure all problems.
Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling accepted the current system was not working in some areas but warned giving politicians more power to tinker with buses was not the answer.
The Department for Transport will discuss the proposals with interested parties, before including provisions in the draft Road Transport Bill to be published next year for public consultation.

YOUR VIEWS:
John A Ramsden, Cleckheaton: "So they want us to get out of the car and catch the bus. WHAT BUS? Why should we catch a bus instead of using the car? You can go from A to B without having to change in the middle of nowhere in your car.
"If there was a bus service between Batley and Cleckheaton (about two and half miles), if there was a bus service between Cleckheaton and Brighouse on a Sunday and on an evening (about two miles), If there was a bus service between Huddersfield and Cleckheaton on a Sunday and on an evening (about seven miles), people might start to use public transport. It has been suggested by quite a number of people that Metro could run a Huddersfield, Brighouse, Cleckheaton, Gomersal, Batley, Morley, White Rose Shopping Centre and Leeds Service. But this was rejected by Metro, no reason was given. The three bus services that I mentioned have all been withdrawn in the last few years. It seems to be that they were not pulled off due to the lack of these services been used, but that Arriva were having problems recruiting drivers, and the only company that is running services in Cleckheaton is Arriva. Metro and the Department of Transport seems to be happy with this total monopoly."