National bus strategy

The government’s national bus strategy for England, 'Bus Back Better', was published on 15 March 2021.

It sets out how local transport authorities and bus operators will work together to improve bus services in their areas.

The strategy requires all transport authorities to work with bus companies, to create a bus service improvement plan (BSIP) by 31 October 2021. This strategy was updated in the summer of 2024.

It will lead to the establishment of an enhanced bus partnership, between the council and bus operators to improve bus services for passengers.

For 2025-26, Buckinghamshire Council has an indicative allocation of £6.2million to spend in line with the BSIP and the Delivery Plan.

We have made an Enhanced Partnership (EP) Plan and Scheme, as required in the National Bus Strategy.

We've followed the 'National Bus Strategy Delivering Bus Service Improvement Plans using an Enhanced Partnership' guidance.

View our notice of making the Plan and Scheme (PDF, 206 KB)

View the Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme (PDF, 2.66 MB)

Our Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) represents our plan to establish buses as a key travel mode in Buckinghamshire, providing connectivity and accessibility for all with safe, reliable and regular bus services.

View the Bus Service Improvement Plan PDF, 5.45 MB.

View the BSIP delivery plan for 2025/26 PDF, 11.5 MB

This is our response to the national bus strategy ‘Bus Back Better’, published in March 2021 that sets out Government priorities to improve bus services in England and requires all local authorities to create a BSIP. We have a positive relationship our local bus companies and has also made a commitment to enter into an Enhanced Partnership with all local bus operators. This partnership will be the means to delivering the service improvements outlined in the BSIP.

We developed the plan in partnership with bus operators and council members.

When writing the plan, we used feedback from more than 2,000 residents and local organisations.

This explained what they’d like to see improved with Buckinghamshire’s bus services.