19 OCTOBER 2026
The Bus Services Act 2017 amended the Transport Act 2000 (the “Act”) to provide Hertfordshire County Council (the “Authority”) with powers to reform the bus market, and these provisions provide for new types of partnership schemes and the option to franchise bus services. In accordance with section 123B and section 123C(4) of the Act, the Authority has authorised the publication of this notice, stating its intention to prepare an assessment of a proposed bus franchising scheme (“Proposed Scheme”).
The Proposed Scheme as currently envisaged will cover the following Hertfordshire County Council areas: North Hertfordshire, East Hertfordshire and Stevenage.
The Secretary of State's permission to carry out the assessment of the Proposed Scheme is not required because section 1(3) of the Bus Services Act 2025 amended section 123C of the Act to remove the requirement for the Secretary of State to consent before franchising authorities that are not mayoral combined authorities or mayoral combined county authorities can prepare an assessment of a proposed franchising scheme.
The Authority will, as the franchising authority for the Hertfordshire County Council area, prepare an assessment of the Proposed Scheme.
Find out more on bus franchising in Hertfordshire. For further information, please contact busfranchising@hertfordshire.gov.uk.