When I was first elected, one of the key issues I committed to campaigning on was the urgent need to improve our local bus services. For too long, under the previous Tory Government, bus services outside London have collapsed, with thousands of bus services cut, and almost 300 million fewer miles driven by buses per year since 2010. Across Cheshire West and Chester alone, bus miles declined by just over 30%, making it harder for people to get around, especially those who rely on public transport the most.
That’s why I am pleased to see that the Labour Government is taking this issue seriously with the introduction of the new Bus Services Bill, currently being debated in the House of Commons. This Bill is a vital step towards reversing over a decade of Tory mismanagement. It will give local authorities new powers to ‘franchise’ bus services — similar to successful models already seen in Greater London and Greater Manchester — allowing councils to take control of routes, schedules, and fares.
What this means in practice is a real opportunity to create bus networks that are designed around the needs of passengers and bus drivers, rather than being left to the decisions of unaccountable private companies. The Bill promises the largest overhaul of local transport powers in 40 years, offering hope that our communities will no longer face a postcode lottery when it comes to access to quality bus services.
I have written to Cheshire West and Chester Council to ensure we work closely together to seize the opportunities this Bill presents for our area. It’s essential that our local voices are heard and that this new legislation delivers tangible improvements for Chester North and Neston residents.
But I want to hear from you too. If you haven’t had the chance yet, please fill in my local buses survey, which you can find on my social media and website: https://samantha-dixon.co.uk/2025/06/03/samantha-dixon-mp-bus-user-survey/.
Your feedback is crucial in helping me understand the issues you face and the changes you want to see. Alternatively, please get in touch directly to share your ideas on how we can improve local bus services.
Together, we can make sure that the new powers in this Bus Services Bill lead to a better, more reliable, and affordable bus network for everyone in our community.