National Bus Strategy - Bus Back Better

In April 2022, the Department for Transport (DfT) made an indicative funding award of £19.1 million to Luton Council in respect of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). Once confirmed, it will enable the council and local bus operators to implement a wide range of improvements to the Luton’s bus network and associated infrastructure. Some of the proposed measures include:

• upgrades to bus infrastructure, including stops, shelters, and real-time information screens
• new bus priorities to achieve reliability, punctuality, passenger experience and satisfaction
• improved ticketing and cheaper fares for child (aged 5-16), young persons (aged 17-21), adult and multi operator fares capping
• improved bus information
• improvements to local bus service levels
• introduction of Butterfield Park & Ride site and service
• increased frequency on the busway to attain targeted passenger growth
• joint partnership working with neighbouring authorities - Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Council, alongside bus operators and stakeholders on various measures to improve the bus network in the PAN Bedfordshire region.

To utilise the BSIP funding, the council must enter into a statutory Enhanced Partnership (EP) with local bus operators. The EP sets out the responsibilities of the council and local bus operators and makes a binding commitment to honour these responsibilities.

The EP plan sets out the current state of the network, along with high level BSIP objectives and measures. The EP Scheme sets out detailed commitments and governance arrangements.

In the recent meetings, after the submission of our Draft EP and the Schedule 4 - Bus Service Improvement Plan funding summary to the Department for Transport (DfT) towards the end of June 2022, Luton Council agreed with its EP Board members to commence its Statutory Consultation to finalise and make the EP. The Statutory Consultation on our Draft EP commenced mid-November 22 with the Statutory Consultees, which included but not limited to:

• all operators of local bus services that would be affected by any of the proposals;
• organisations that represent local passengers;
• other local authorities that would be affected by the proposals;
• the Traffic Commissioners;
• the chief officer of police for each area to which the plan relates;
• transport focus;
• the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA); and
• such other persons as the authority thinks fit

On receipt of the comments and considerations to them, Luton Council and the EP board member deemed the EP did not require any further amendments at this stage. The board concluded to making the EP in December post the sign off from the council on 28 November 2022.

The updated final Luton Enhanced Partnership Plan and Schemes along with any relevant information and documents can be found below.

• Luton Enhanced Partnership Plan and Schemes

Luton Council, in collaboration with bus operators, has developed an enhanced partnership plan and scheme.

In order to formally ‘make’ the plan and scheme, we followed the statutory guidance and processes, consulting operators of qualifying local bus services and undertaking stakeholder consultation. No objection was received during the operator objection period which commenced 21 December 2022.

Post the BSIP funding award, we updated our enhanced partnership plan and scheme in October 2022 to reflect the bus service improvement plan funding award. EP board members and operators were further consulted for the approval of the revised EP incorporating the schemes in line with the BSIP funding award.

This was approved by the board members on 10 November whereby notification of intention under Section 138G of Transport Act 2000, to proceed with the making of our Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme was announced.

This allowed for the statutory consultation to commence and by the end of November, with no amendments required as result of the statutory consultation, Luton Council signed off its approval for making the EP.

The meeting held by the EP Board members on 7 December announced the making of the EP.

If you have any comments, please email us at public.transport@luton.gov.uk

Driver rest area at Luton Interchange to improve scheduling and timely departure of services

Provision of area where drivers can take breaks, consume food and have necessary comfort facilities. The current arrangements are part of the Starbucks Cafe, totally unsuitable for the demands of the site as the Interchange has grown over the past 10 years.

Safety review of the Luton to Dunstable Busway
The review has identified areas where improvements must be made. Looking to develop a scheme for use in current year and future years to improve safety along many parts of the open Busway, including potential fencing in exposed areas.

Investment in more safe waiting areas with improved access
Provision of 30 more bus shelters to be agreed based on boarding data (high utilisation), introducing shelters where none exist at present, with footway improvements to improve access.

Convert Roundabout at Crawley Green/Vauxhall Way to a signalised junction
Cost of development of design through to consultation and then to delivery on site. This project is likely to have a 24 month span, due to the nature of the site.

A large roundabout at Vauxhall Way is to be replaced with a signalised junction with four arms with bus priority. This will improve access for buses serving the airport, south of Luton and cross boundary services into Hertfordshire.

Additional RTPI screen with audio announcements for bus shelters
Already improved through phase 1 BSIP. More Paper White displays with voice activation at key locations to deliver real time bus arrivals.

Continued support for the successful Luton Hip Hop multi operator weekly tickets for adults and children
This allows weekly fixed cost using any bus by any operators with the ticket purchased from anyone of the 6 bus operators.

Discounted from £20 to £13.50 for adults and £14 to £10 for children, this measure has delivered significant passenger growth and the tickets have become very popular amongst bus users attracting new users.

Maintain acceptance of ENCTS pre-9.30am
ENCTS ridership is still below pre covid levels, by lifting the pre-9.30am travel restrictions, we expect ridership to increase in 2025-26.

Staff support for BSIPg>Maintain acceptance of ENCTS pre-9.30am
Funding support to be supported by some capital element on delivery of those parts of the project.

Maintain current tender arrangements for evening and Sunday service and introduce new Park and Ride services at 15 minute frequency
Bus service support from BSIP phase 1 included continued support beyond 2025 to 31 March 2026. This supports the provision of evening and Sunday services on 8 key routes in Luton that currently delivers 12,000 extra passenger journeys per month (and growing).

It also funds the introduction of a new Park and Ride service from Butterfield Park to reduce traffic congestion in the town centre

Second year funding for the development of recently introduced commercial daytime services
Bus service support from BSIP phase 1 included the continued 'pump prime' funding of commercial services into 2025-26. These are new services offering better connections to health and education facilities, along with more services to London Luton Airport currently delivering extra 55,000 passenger journeys per month (and growing).

Construction of Park and Ride facility at Butterfield Park
Delivery of the Butterfield Park and Ride site in the year ahead, delays experienced following flooding in November and December 2024. Construction expected to commence in 2025. Brought Forward from phase 1 BSIP.

See the BSIP phase 2 delivery plan 2025-26 here.

Luton Council will convene the enhanced partnership stakeholders and board meetings each quarter to review and discuss the progress in accordingly

Please return back to our National Bus Strategy - Bus Back Better page for up to date information.

Bus Back Better – National Bus Strategy

Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) Guidance