Transport Act 2000

[F1 17 (1) This paragraph applies for the purposes of the interpretation of this Part of this Schedule. E+W

(2) A voluntary multilateral agreement (a “VMA”) is a voluntary partnership agreement (within the meaning given by section 153) to which two or more operators of local services are parties.

(3) A voluntary bilateral agreement (a “VBA”) is a voluntary partnership agreement (within the meaning given by that section) to which only one operator of local services is a party.

(4) In this Part of this Schedule—

(a) a “qualifying agreement” is an agreement between bus undertakings only;

(b) a “qualifying decision” is so much of any decision by an association of undertakings as relates to the operation of local services;

(c) a “qualifying practice” is a concerted practice by bus undertakings only.

(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (4)—

(a) a bus undertaking is an undertaking which is the operator of a local service;

(b) the involvement of a local authority which is not a bus undertaking is to be disregarded;

(c) [F2 an advanced quality partnership scheme,] a quality partnership scheme [F3 , an enhanced partnership scheme] or voluntary partnership agreement is not to be regarded as a qualifying agreement, qualifying decision or qualifying practice.

(6) In sub-paragraph (5)(b) “local authority” means—

(a) a local transport authority;

(b) a district council in England.

(7) A provision of this Part of this Schedule which is expressed to apply to, or in relation to, a qualifying agreement is to be read as applying equally to, or in relation to, a qualifying decision or a qualifying practice (but with any necessary modifications).

(8) A reference to the area of an authority—

(a) in relation to a VMA or VBA, is a reference to the area of a local transport authority who are a party to the agreement;

(b) in relation to a qualifying agreement, is a reference to the area of a local transport authority in whose area the agreement is, or is to be, implemented.

(9) The “bus improvement objectives” are—

(a) securing improvements in the quality of vehicles or facilities used for or in connection with the provision of local services,

(b) securing other improvements in local services of benefit to users of local services, and

(c) reducing or limiting traffic congestion, noise or air pollution.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 10 Pt. 2 inserted (26.11.2008 for specified purposes, 9.2.2009 for E. in so far as not already in force, 1.4.2009 for W. in so far as not already in force) by Local Transport Act 2008 (c. 26), s. 134(1)(c)(4), Sch. 2 para. 15; S.I. 2009/107, art. 2(2), Sch. 2 Pt. 1; S.I. 2009/579, art. 2(d)

F2 Words in Sch. 10 para. 17(5)(c) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), s. 26(3), Sch. 1 para. 11(4)

F3 Words in Sch. 10 para. 17(5)(c) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), s. 26(3), Sch. 4 para. 9(4)