New Bus Services Act must stem decline of industry, says RMT

New Bus Services Act must stem decline of industry, says RMT

28 October 2025

RMT Press Office:

BUS union RMT welcomed the Bus Services Act becoming law as a step towards stemming the decline of the industry.

The Bill was introduced in recognition of the decline in the sector that has arisen because of decades of deregulation and privatisation. 

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that it had been disastrous for our bus networks, leaving communities poorly served.

“We welcome some elements of this legislation Bill such as the removal of the ideological ban on new municipal bus companies. 

“However, we are concerned that the provision of decent bus services could continue to be a postcode lottery, and government needs to go much further and deliver a national plan for high quality locally delivered and properly funded publicly bus services which put passengers before profits. 

“It is also regrettable that the government has ignored previous recommendations of the transport select committee to put in place national arrangements that would have increased protections for the jobs and safety for bus worker and improved services to passengers,” he said. 

Over 5,000 bus routes have been lost since 2010 and the number of bus workers has reduced by nearly 20,000, nearly a quarter of the entire workforce.

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