Local Transport Act 2008

19 Quality contracts schemes

(1) Section 124 of the TA 2000 (bus services: quality contracts schemes) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1) (power of local transport authorities etc to make quality contracts schemes if satisfied it is the only way to implement policies in their bus strategies and it is economic etc) for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—

“(a) the proposed scheme will result in an increase in the use of bus services (see subsection (9B)) in the area to which the proposed scheme relates,

(b) the proposed scheme will bring benefits to persons using local services in the area to which the proposed scheme relates, by improving the quality of those services,

(c) the proposed scheme will contribute to the implementation of the local transport policies of the authority or authorities,

(d) the proposed scheme will contribute to the implementation of those policies in a way which is economic, efficient and effective, and

(e) any adverse effects of the proposed scheme on operators will be proportionate to the improvement in the well-being of persons living or working in the area to which the proposed scheme relates and, in particular, to the achievement of the objectives mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d).”.

(3) For subsection (2) (need to comply with notice and consultation requirements and obtain approval of appropriate national authority) substitute—

“(2) A quality contracts scheme may not be made unless the authority or authorities—

(a) have complied with the requirements of section 125,

(b) in the case of a scheme for an area in Wales, have obtained the approval of the Welsh Ministers in accordance with section 126, and

(c) in the case of a scheme for an area in England, meet the requirements of subsection (2A).

(2A) The requirements are that the authority or authorities—

(a) have published under section 126C(5) the request which they sent to the QCS board under section 126C(4), and

(b) publish, in accordance with section 127(1A), a response prepared by them to the report published by the QCS board under section 126D(5) in relation to the scheme.”.

(4) In subsection (3)(b) (under quality contracts scheme local services to be provided only under quality contracts) after “section 127(4)” insert “and section 132C”.

(5) After subsection (9) insert—

“(9A) The power to make a scheme jointly may be exercised only if—

(a) all the authorities are local transport authorities for areas in England, or

(b) all the authorities are local transport authorities for areas in Wales.”.

(6) After subsection (9A) insert—

“(9B) The reference in subsection (1)(a) to increasing the use of bus services includes a reference to reducing, arresting or reversing decline in the use of bus services.”.