Lancashire Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme (HTML) Schedule 2 – Obligations on operators of qualifying local bus services

General requirements

Operators are expected to comply with national requirements mandated by the UK Government (generally via the Department for Transport), the Traffic Commissioner or any other relevant body.

By signing up to the Lancashire Combined County Authority Enhanced Partnership, operators are automatically signing up to the Lancashire Combined County Authority Bus Passenger Charter as well. The charter can be found in Schedule 3.

Bus Operators will be proactively involved in scheme design and consultation and in working constructively with Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) and constituent councils to enhance the bus network to better serve local needs, where required, and support wider network improvements and economic development, subject to financial viability.

Operator savings

Where investment is made by LCCA that speeds up or otherwise improves bus journey times to a level that delivers cashable operating cost savings for a period of more than 12 months; for example, by releasing PVR from a route, this net saving will be reinvested in the network in a way jointly agreed between LCCA and the operator(s) benefitting. This could be in new services; increased frequency; measures to promote reliability; route extensions; extended hours/days of operation; fares offers or other ticketing changes; information and marketing improvements; fleet investment; or other such agreed enhancement.

Savings will be based on a corridor approach rather than an individual service basis. Each bus priority scheme may be assessed during the design process to enable an early understanding and forecast of the potential cashable saving per scheme to enable further information regarding future reinvestment.

Fares and ticketing

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
F1Simpler ticketing

Operators will use reasonable endeavours to collaborate with Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) 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 ticketingOperators are encouraged to participate in all relevant Anybus multi-operator ticketing schemes. Operators are expected to participate from day one in new Anybus schemes unless a postponement agreement is made with LCCA. The list of Anybus schemes is set out in Appendix D1 April 2026N/A
F3PlusBusOperators will participate in all relevant PlusBus Rail Add-on ticketing schemes. Operators are expected to participate from day one in new PlusBus schemes unless a postponement agreement is made with LCCA. The list of PlusBus schemes is set out in Appendix D1 September 2026N/A
F4Ticket machines

Operators are required to use vehicles which are fitted with ticket machines which are able to:

  • accept and record the use of ENCTS smartcards
  • accept and record the use of other ITSO smartcards
  • provide data as required by Bus Open Data legislation
1 April 2026N/A
F4ATicket machinesOperators are required to use vehicles which are fitted with ticket machines which, in addition to that set out in F4, will need to be able to accept a variety of tokens (including ITSO products, barcode / QR codes and tap-on tap-off contactless capping (TOTO)), record use and issue the products for each multi-operator ticketing scheme. The TOTO schemes will require a cloud-based solution to implement the capping of fares or guarantee "best value" products.1 April 2027N/A
F5BSIP fare offers

Bus operators are encouraged to participate in fare schemes funded through the Local Authority Bus Grant:

  • discounted flat single fare post-19:00 (except for Blackpool Transport and Blackburn Prive Hire)
  • discounted flat single fare Sunday daytime (except Blackburn Private Hire)
1 April 2026N/A
F6Low fares

Operators will offer:

  • 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
F7Cash paymentBus operators will continue to allow passenger to purchase single, return (where applicable) and day tickets onboard vehicles using cash.1 April 2026N/A
F8Service disruptionIn the event of significant disruption to bus services due to events such as extreme weather conditions or an emergency road closure, operators will allow passengers to use single operator tickets issued by other operators on their services in the affected area(s).1 April 2026N/A

Vehicles

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
V1Onboard equipmentIn line with requirements set out by the DfT regarding Next Stop Audio Visual Systems (NSAVS), all vehicles used on registered local services within Lancashire which were first used after 30 September 2014 must be fitted with functioning NSAVS.1 April 2026N/A
V1AOnboard equipmentIn line with requirements set out by the DfT regarding Next Stop Audio Visual Systems (NSAVS), all vehicles used on registered local services within Lancashire which were first used before 1 October 2014 must be fitted with functioning NSAVS.1 October 2026N/A
V2Investment corridorsOperators of services set out in Schedule 4B will be required to use vehicles that will meet an agreed standard, reflective of the level of investment provided by LCCA.TBCSubject to further discussion
V3Safety and SecurityCCTV will be mandated on all buses to provide enhanced on-board security.1 April 2027N/A
V4AccessibilityAll operators will ensure the inclusion of British Sign Language on Next Stop Displays.TBCSubject to discussions on funding
V5AccessibilityThe interior of any new vehicle will meet 'Dementia Friendly' standards.1 April 2026N/A
V5AAccessibilityThe interior of all vehicles used on local bus services will meet 'Dementia Friendly' standards.TBCSubject to discussions on funding
V6Destination displaysThe route number should be constant; any messaging apart from route number, destination and intermediate calling points should only replace the destination / intermediate calling point text and only for a maximum of ten seconds.1 September 2026N/A

Information and marketing

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
I1Web information

Operators will ensure that either their own website or a third-party website they link to (such as Bustimes.org) contains easily accessible, legible and accurate information on:

  • local bus services operated including timetable and route map
  • tickets available and fares charged on their services
  • contact details for the bus operators
  • any pre-planned disruption to bus services (see B4A)
1 September 2026N/A
I2Printed informationOperators are encouraged to continue to produce printed timetables and other relevant information for their commercial services.1 April 2026N/A
I3InterchangeTimetables and maps should highlight where interchange with other transport modes are available.1 April 2026N/A
I3AInterchangeNext stop display screens to show live train times on approach to bus stops serving railway stations.AmbitionSubject to discussions on funding
I4All operator mapsOperators will ensure that where they provide bus service information on their website, an electronic copy of any relevant all-operator network maps produced by LCCA will be available.1 September 2026N/A
I5Joint marketingOperators, LCCA 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 and LCCA 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 area.1 April 2026N/A
I7Other OperatorsOperators will be required to share information on each other's services on websites and apps.AmbitionDate to be agreed by EP boards
I8BrandingOperators will comply with the requirements of HM Government's Branding Manual in relation to activities funded through Bus Grant.1 April 2026N/A

Bus services and network

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
B1Co-ordinated headwaysOperators should look to co-ordinate headways along key corridors where practical.1 April 2026N/A
B2SimplificationWhere identified by LCCA, operators will work in partnership with LCCA to simplify the bus network.AmbitionSubject to future agreement by the EP boards
B3Socially necessary servicesOperators are required to comply with Schedule 7B in relation to the provision of services deemed as Socially Necessary, as outlined in Schedule 7A.TBCAwaiting guidance
B4Service change informationOperators are required to notify passengers of upcoming service changes at least two weeks before commencement via their website, social media channels (where applicable) and on vehicles in the appropriate area. Where this cannot be done, such as an emergency or short notice road closure, the operator should endeavour to notify passengers as soon as possible, ensuring the information is accurate and up to date.1 April 2026N/A
B5Service change informationWhere the service does not come under B3 above, bus operators will publish proposed changes to bus services in line with the requirements set out in Schedule 5A.1 April 2026N/A

Data

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
D1NaPTANOperators will update their NaPTAN database in accordance with changes made by LCCA.1 April 2026N/A
D2NaPTAN namesOperators will ensure that the bus stop names used across all outlets / media including timetables, Next Stop AV systems and online journey planning tools are consistent with the name displayed at the stop (bus stop plate, timetable etc.) by using the NaPTAN name.1 April 2027N/A
D3ETM dataBus operators will provide a direct feed to LCCA's contract monitoring platform of ETM data for all bus services in Lancashire as set out in Schedule 6A.1 September 2026N/A
D4BSIP monitoringBus operators will make BSIP monitoring data available to LCCA as set out in Schedule 6B.1 April 2026N/A
D5RealTime feedsOperators will provide the data required for RealTime information and Intelligent Bus Priority as set out in Schedule 6C.1 September 2026N/A

Other

RefSchemeDetailsCompliance fromNotes
O1InnovationOperators to ensure that new and innovative transport developments are shared across Lancashire for the benefit of all Lancashire residents.1 April 2026N/A
O2Safety and securityAll operators are required to register for and actively use the AURa Incident Reporting System (or any future replacement system), ensuring that all safety related events such as anti-social behaviour, near misses, or safety related operational disruption is captured promptly and accurately.1 September 2026N/A