Better Buses for Wakefield & Rothwell

As your MP, I’m proud to be introducing a new Buses Bill—a bold step towards transforming bus services not just here in Wakefield and Rothwell, but across the country.

For too long, our communities have been let down by unreliable, infrequent, and overcrowded buses. Under the previous Conservative government, thousands of services were cut and nearly 300 million fewer miles were driven by buses each year since 2010. That’s simply unacceptable.

This new legislation will give local transport authorities the power to take back control—over routes, fares, and service levels—through a franchising model similar to what we’ve seen work in London and Greater Manchester. It will also reverse the ban on publicly owned bus companies, giving councils the flexibility they need to fix broken services.

This is the biggest overhaul of local transport powers in 40 years, and it’s backed by significant new funding from our Labour government. It’s about putting passengers first and ensuring that buses work for the people who rely on them every day—to get to work, school, appointments, and to stay connected with their communities.

People across Wakefield and Rothwell have told me they’re tired of being held back by poor public transport. I hear you—and I’m acting. This bill is about delivering better, more reliable, and more affordable buses for everyone.