Greater London Authority Act 1999

The London bus network

181 The London bus network

(1) Transport for London shall determine which London local services are required for the purpose of providing safe, integrated, efficient and economic transport services in Greater London.

(2) The determination made by Transport for London under subsection (1) above shall be kept under review and may be revised at any time.

(3) The London local services which Transport for London determines are required under this section shall be known collectively as the “London bus network”.

(4) A London local service which is part of the London bus network may be provided only—

(a) by Transport for London or any of its subsidiaries, or

(b) by any other person in pursuance of an agreement entered into by Transport for London under section 156(2) above or in pursuance of a transport subsidiary’s agreement.

(5) Transport for London shall so far as reasonably practicable provide or secure the provision of the London bus network.

182 London local service agreements

(1) Where a London local service which is part of the London bus network is provided in pursuance of an agreement entered into by Transport for London under section 156(2) above or in pursuance of a transport subsidiary’s agreement, the agreement shall be known as a London local service agreement.

(2) Where a London local service agreement relates to a local service part of which is to be provided outside Greater London, subsection (3) below applies to any provision contained in the agreement with respect to the carriage of passengers other than those who are both taken up and set down in Greater London.

(3) A provision of a description specified in subsection (2) above shall be of no effect if or so far as it is inconsistent with any condition attached under section 8 of the [1985 c. 67.] Transport Act 1985 (enforcement of traffic regulation conditions etc by a traffic commissioner)—

(a) to a PSV operators' licence held by the operator of the service, or

(b) to a permit under section 22 of the [1985 c. 67.] Transport Act 1985 (a community bus permit).

183 Addition or variation of a network service

(1) Subsection (2) below applies where—

(a) Transport for London or any of its subsidiaries proposes to provide a new London local service or to vary an existing London local service,

(b) Transport for London proposes to enter into a London local service agreement for the provision of a new London local service, or

(c) Transport for London proposes to agree to a variation in an existing London local service provided pursuant to a London local service agreement,

and the proposal, if effected, would alter the London bus network.

(2) Transport for London shall before making a decision about the proposal consult—

(a) the commissioner or commissioners of police affected,

(b) the London authorities affected,

(c) the London Transport Users' Committee, and

(d) any other person whom Transport for London considers it appropriate to consult,

about the matters specified in subsection (3) below relating to the proposed new service or the service as proposed to be altered.

(3) The matters mentioned in subsection (2) above are—

(a) the route,

(b) the terminal points,

(c) the points at which passengers may or may not be taken up and set down, and

(d) the place at which, or street by the use of which, vehicles used for the service may turn at a terminal point.

(4) For the purposes of this section, the London authorities affected by a proposal are the London authorities in whose area there is situated—

(a) any part of the route in question, or

(b) any of the places mentioned in subsection (3)(b) to (d) above.

(5) Where a place or street mentioned in paragraph (d) of subsection (3) above is situated in the area of a local authority other than a London authority, Transport for London is also required under subsection (2) above to consult that local authority about the matter specified in that paragraph.

(6) For the purposes of this section a commissioner of police is affected by a proposal if he is—

(a) the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, or

(b) the Commissioner of Police of the City of London,

and any part of the route in question, or any of the places mentioned in subsection (3)(b) to (d) above, is situated in the police area for which he is the Commissioner.

(7) For the purposes of this Chapter a London authority is any London borough council or the Common Council.

184 Discontinuance of a network service

(1) Subsection (2) below applies where—

(a) Transport for London or any of its subsidiaries proposes to discontinue a London local service which is part of the London bus network, or

(b) Transport for London proposes not to renew a London local service agreement pursuant to which a London local service which is part of the London bus network is provided,

except where Transport for London proposes that a service replacing the London local service in question and equivalent to it will be provided (whether by Transport for London or any of its subsidiaries, or pursuant to a London local service agreement).

(2) Transport for London shall before making a decision about the proposal consult—

(a) the London authorities affected,

(b) the London Transport Users' Committee, and

(c) any other person whom Transport for London considers it appropriate to consult.

(3) For the purposes of this section the London authorities affected by a proposal are the London authorities in whose area there is situated any part of the route of the service in question.