Bus Service Changes

In the UK bus routes are required to be registered under the Transport Act 1985. See Local Service Registration. The registration process requires that bus operators send a copy of the registration whether New, Variation or Cancellation, to the relevant authorities that the bus route is to pass through.

Local transport authorities and other bus operators can find out about which routes have been registered by using VOSA's Bus Registration Search or the on-line Notices and Proceedings of the Traffic Commissioner.

Any registration may be inspected at the office of the Traffic Commissioner during public business hours and copies of registrations can be sent by post or fax to any interested party upon prior receipt of a written request together with a fee of £3.00 per copy for posted copies or £5.00 per copy for faxed copies.

Correspondence should be addressed to:

North Western Traffic Area Office,
Hillcrest House,
386 Harehills Lane,
Leeds,
LS9 6NF
Telephone: 0113 254 3291
Fax: 0113 249 8142

Bus Service Registration Changes Received by Month 

Please use our Public Transport Information Order Form to request copies of new timetables, which will be sent to you once they are available. Please make it clear in the comments box that you want the new timetable and not the current version.

Changes to Commercial Services:

Under the Transport Act 1985 (Deregulation), bus companies are free to operate services which they consider to be commercially viable. The company decides which type of vehicle to provide, which route to follow and which stops to serve, how frequent the service will run and how much to charge in fares.

They do not need to seek authority to start, alter or withdraw part or all of such services, nor is there any authority to oblige them to run services or sections of service, which they believe to be unprofitable. They are, however, required to give notice of their intentions both to the Traffic Commissioner (part of the Government Department for Transport) and to the relevant Council(s).

Changes to Supported Services:

Where a bus company is unable or unwilling to run a service on a commercial basis, the Council has the power to secure the provision of services by allocating financial support. These "socially necessary" services are operated by bus companies under contract to the Council and the Council, not the bus company, determines the type of vehicle to be operated, the route, stopping places, timetable and fares.

Bus Service Registration

Bus services should be registered with a minimum of 56 days notice. Registrations may be granted at "short notice", using Form PSV350A. The support of the relevant local authority is usually required quoting one of the following reasons:

  • The change is in the week which includes 24 - 25 Dec, Good Friday or any bank holiday (21 days' notice required).
  • You are replacing a substantially similar service by another operator (name the operator).
  • The service is not public or not much used by the public (eg school bus).
  • At the request of an Local Authority or police on safety grounds or traffic regulation (evidence required).
  • A special occasion or event for a period of no more than 21 days' duration (name the occasion).
  • The change is of no more than 10 minutes or to connect with an altered rail, ferry or air service (name the service).
  • The change is for 14 days or less, for the period of a local holiday (give details).
  • There is a need to meet an urgent or exceptional transport requirement (give details).
  • Unforeseen circumstances (explain).

Please contact the Cheshire Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 open 7 days a week 8am to 8pm for more information and to request updated timetables or you can print most timetables from the Bus Service Timetables directory.

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