Lancashire Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme (HTML) Schedule 1 – Facilities and measures to be provided by and obligations on Lancashire Combined County Authority and Constituent Councils

Whilst Lancashire Combined County Authority took over the Local Transport Authority functions of the constituent councils (Blackpool Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Lancashire County Council) from 1 April 2026, most facilities remain with the constituent councils, principally as the Highways Authorities.

Funding

As required by the Department for Transport in relation to receipt of Bus Grant Funding, Lancashire Combined County Authority and constituent councils will continue to provide as a minimum level of funding from own resources based on the amount the constituent councils budgeted for 2025/26 financial year for:

  • supported bus services (apart from Bus Grant funding)
  • statutory concessionary travel
  • non-statutory concessionary travel elements where the constituent council requests for it to continue
  • bus stop infrastructure maintenance
  • bus station maintenance

General

Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) as the Local Transport Authority will fulfil its statutory duties either directly or through a Commissioning and Assurance model with constituent council(s), mainly in relation to this EP:

  • developing and updating a Bus Service Improvement Plan
  • administration of an Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme
  • consider the provision of funded bus services to fill gaps in the commercial network where deemed ‘socially necessary’ and funding is available
  • ensure public transport information is made available in an appropriate way
  • administer and operate the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (known locally as NoWcard) within the LCCA area including setting the scheme and reimbursing operators

LCCA will abide by the terms of the Passenger Charter as set out in Schedule 3.

Bus priority schemes

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
P1Existing bus priorityTo ensure that existing bus priority measures outlined in Schedule 10A continue to be maintained1 April 2026N/A
P2BSIP bus infrastructureTo deliver and maintain bus priority and other infrastructure funded through BSIP and similar funding schemes as detailed in Schedule 10B1 April 2026N/A
P3New bus priorityTo ensure future bus priority schemes are developed in partnership with bus operators1 April 2026N/A

Bus stations and interchanges

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
B1Constituent bus stationsLCCA will work with the constituent councils to ensure that their bus stations (as shown in Appendix C) comply with the standards set out in Schedule 9A1 September 2026N/A
B2Other bus stationsLCCA will work with the third parties to ensure that their bus stations (as shown in Appendix C) comply with the standards set out in Schedule 9ATBCN/A

Bus stops

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
S1Bus stopsLCCA will work with the constituent councils to ensure that bus stops are maintained to a high standard as set out in Schedule 9B1 April 2026N/A
S2AccessibilityLCCA will fund upgrades in locations agreed with the constituent councils, focussing initially on Superbus Corridors, to improve the accessibility of bus stops1 April 2026N/A
S3Constituent sheltersLCCA will work with the constituent councils to ensure that bus shelters are maintained to a high standard as set out in Schedule 9B1 April 2026N/A
S4Other sheltersLCCA will look to work with third parties to ensure that bus shelters are maintained to a high standard as set out in Schedule 9B1 September 2026N/A
S5Bus stop classificationLCCA will develop a classification system for bus stops based on location and usage levels which will set a minimum standard of facilities at classifications of bus stop. This will be added to Schedule 9C when complete1 April 2027N/A

Further obligations regarding bus stops are covered in information and marketing obligations.

Fares and ticketing

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
F1Simpler ticketing

Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) will use reasonable endeavours to collaborate with operators to:

  • make consistent existing ‘own-operator’ ticketing scheme boundaries to make the bus product simpler for passengers
  • harmonise fare products (though not the price)
  • where these don’t currently exist, develop carnet products to better meet the needs of part-time commuters
  • develop ticketing schemes that meet BSIP and EP aspirations
1 April 2026N/A
F2Anybus multi-operator ticketingLCCA will work with operators to develop new Anybus ticketing schemes and products, including exploring new media for ticketing. The list of Anybus schemes is set out in Appendix D1 April 2026N/A
F3PlusBusLCCA will work with operators and the rail industry to market existing and develop new PlusBus rail add-on ticketing schemes. The list of PlusBus schemes is set out in Appendix D1 April 2026N/A
F4BSIP fare offersLCCA will use BSIP funding to support lower fares where affordable and agreement with operators is made. For 2026/27 this will be the continuation of the discounted flat single fare, post-19:00 and Sunday daytime1 April 2026N/A
F5Low fares

LCCA will work with operators to develop:

  • a standardised half-fare ticket offer for under 19s
  • a standardised third-off ticket offer for 19-24 year olds
  • a standardised half-fare ticket offer for job seekers. This is intended to be provided to those unemployed claiming Jobseekers Allowance for 3-9 months (18-24 year olds) or 3-12 months (over 25s). Other "benefit" recipients may receive a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card from 3 months of their claim and if they are actively engaged with a Jobcentre Plus adviser
  • a standardised half-fare ticket offer for recipients of Universal Credit, on the same terms as for job seekers
AmbitionTo be introduced subject to funding and agreement by the Enhanced Partnership boards
F6Cash paymentLCCA will continue to allow passenger to purchase single, return (where applicable) and day tickets onboard vehicles using cash on supported services1 April 2026 

Information and marketing

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
I1Web information

LCCA will ensure that the  a public transport website will be developed and will contain easily accessible, legible and accurate information on:

  • local bus services operated including timetable and route map
  • tickets available and fares charged on tendered services
  • contact details for the authority and bus operators
  • any pre-planned disruption to bus services (see B4A)
1 September 2026N/A
I2Printed informationLCCA will commission the constituent councils to continue to produce printed timetables and other relevant information for tendered services 1 April 2026N/A
I3InterchangeTimetables and maps should highlight where interchange with other transport modes are available1 April 2026N/A
I4All operator mapsLCCA will continue to produce and update all operator network maps. These will be available in electronic format on the LCCA's public transport website and in printed form available from relevant outlets such as libraries1 September 2026N/A
I5Joint marketingOperators, LCCA, constituent councils and relevant third parties will work together to develop marketing initiatives and joint promotions to increase awareness and patronage. This includes support the promotion and marketing of fares initiatives both local and nationally led.1 April 2026N/A
I6ENCTSOperators, LCCA and constituent councils will work proactively together to promote concessionary bus travel to eligible residents. Work will be undertaken to encourage pass take up and the opportunities associated with free off-peak travel across the LCCA area1 April 2026N/A
I7Bus stop timetablesLCCA will commission constituent councils to continue to provide and keep up to date printed timetable information at bus stops where this is already provided. LCCA and constituent councils will work together to develop a standardised format for roadside publicity. The authority will work with constituent councils to review locations without information where necessary, to appraise the merits of provision at the location. 1 April 2026N/A
I7ABus stop timetablesLCCA and constituent councils will work together, in consultation with operators and bus user groups, to develop a standardised format for roadside publicity.1 April 2026N/A
I7BBus stop timetablesLCCA will regularly review, in co-operation with constituent councils, operators and bus user groups, the level and layout of information provided at bus stops.1 April 2027N/A
I7CBus stop timetablesLCCA will work with the provider of RealTime information to develop a QR Code for display at bus stops without roadside publicity, providing a link to RealTime for the specific stop1 April 2027N/A
I8RealTime informationLCCA will continue to roll out and maintain the RealTime Passenger Information system including working with constituent councils, district and parish councils to upgrade existing electronic information screens at bus stops and bus stations.1 April 2026N/A
I8ARealTime informationLCCA will continue to cover the cost of Siri Feeds for SME bus operators 1 April 2026N/A
I9BrandingLCCA will develop a new brand for public transport in Lancashire in co-operation with operators, constituent councils, user groups and other relevant stakeholders. LCCA will seek to roll out the branding in co-operation with operators, constituent councils and other asset owners in an efficient and affordable manner.1 April 2026N/A
I9ABrandingLCCA will follow the requirements of HM Government's Branding Manual in relation to funded activities through Bus Grant1 April 2026N/A

Bus services and network

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
N1Co-ordinated headwaysLCCA will look to co-ordinate headways of supported services along key corridors where practical1 April 2026N/A
N2SimplificationWhere identified by LCCA, operators will work in partnership with LCCA to simplify the bus networkAmbitionSubject to future agreement by the EP boards
N3Socially necessary servicesLCCA is required to comply with Schedule 7C in relation to the provision of services deemed as socially necessary, as defined in Schedule 7ATBCN/A
N4Service change informationLCCA will provide information of bus service changes on its website, at least four weeks prior to the change.1 April 2026N/A
N4AService change informationLCCA will seek to provide information of short-term timetable changes caused by road works etc. on its website at least two weeks prior to the change, or as soon as possible where information is provided to the authority with less than two weeks' notice. LCCA will ensure that information of short-term disruption is provide at affected bus stops at least a week prior to the change, or as soon as possible where information is provided at shorter notice to the authority.1 September 2026N/A
N5Service change consultationWhere the service does not come under N3 above, LCCA will publish proposed changes to supported bus services in line with the requirements set out in Schedule 5A.1 April 2026N/A

Data

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
D1NaPTANLCCA will continue to maintain NaPTAN (National Public Transport Access Nodes) data for Lancashire and consult with operators regarding bus stop changes as set out in Schedule 5B.1 April 2026N/A
D2NaPTAN namesLCCA will ensure that the bus stop names used across all outlets / media including bus stop flags, roadside publicity, timetables and online journey planning tools are consistent with each other and those used by operators by using the agreed NaPTAN name1 April 2027N/A
D3ETM dataLCCA will only use operator's commercial ETM data collected by the contract monitoring platform as set out in Schedule 6A without further agreement from the operator.1 September 2026N/A
D4Data collectionAs mandated by the Bus Services Act 2025, LCCA will provide 14 days' notice to bus operators regarding a request for data which bus operators do not already supply as part of the Enhanced Partnership agreement1 April 2026N/A
D5Data sharingLCCA will share data with operators as set out in Schedule 6D1 September 2026N/A
D6KPIsLCCA will publish BSIP related performance data on LCCA's public transport website as set out in Schedule 6E31 July 2026N/A
D7RealTime feedsLCCA will provide a Siri Feed from the RealTime back-office system to any bus operator's own app for free.1 September 2026N/A

Other

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
O1InnovationLCCA will ensure that where feasible and affordable new and innovative transport developments are shared across Lancashire for the benefit of all Lancashire residents.1 April 2026N/A
O2Safety and securityLCCA will continue to fund Public Transport Safety Officers to be deployed on the public and school bus networks, as well as at bus stations and other key locations, to tackle anti-social behaviour and provide reassurance to passengers.1 April 2026N/A
O3InvestmentLCCA will work with bus operators to develop criteria for investment within the bus network to reflect that which is provided by LCCA which will be set out in Schedule 4.1 April 2026N/A
O3AInvestmentWhere a bus operator invests in upgrading the fleet on a specific corridor or route outside of the requirement in Schedule 4, LCCA will prioritise where feasible and funding allows prioritise the corridor for investment in infrastructure.1 April 2026N/A