Today’s King’s Speech represents a strong ‘signal of intent’ on the new Government’s ambitious plans for the transport sector, the Urban Transport Group has said.

The speech at the State Opening of Parliament, which sets out the Government’s legislative agenda for the new Parliamentary session, included:

• a Bill to allow local leaders to take control of their local bus services (Better Buses Bill).
• legislation to improve the railways by reforming rail franchising, establishing Great British Railways and bringing train operators into public ownership (Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill, Rail Reform Bill)
• an English Devolution Bill to give new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities

Responding to the speech, Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:

“The King’s Speech sends a strong signal of intent that this Government is serious about transforming our transport sector.

“Our rail services need reform, so it is encouraging that the Government is moving ahead with the creation of Great British Railways. And on buses, local leaders will be given greater powers to franchise or publicly own bus services - powers we have long called for.

“Together with the recognition that greater devolution can herald positive change for local communities, these new Bills could lead to big improvements in transport.

“As city regions that deliver transport services for millions of people day in, day out, we stand ready to work with the new Government to help realise their ambitions.”