The document discusses challenges facing local bus services in England, including rising costs and falling government funding. While some local governments are reducing supported bus networks, metropolitan areas generally try to avoid major cuts by raising concessionary fares or charging for services. The Competition Commission investigation found some local bus markets prevent competition and its potential remedies include market opening measures and local authority-led franchising. Making the most of existing bus powers and better targeting limited funding will be important to address decline while new policies and technologies may help lift the sector in coming years.

2. You wait ages for reform, then three come along at once – driving better local bus services Presentation to L G Group Annual Conference - ‘Localism Works’ David Brown, SYPTE Lead DG for pteg on bus issues 29 June 2011