12.8 Bus service provision, funding and maintenance

Under the Transport Act 1985 Surrey’s buses are provided on a deregulated basis.

The County Council secures the provision of bus services through contracts with local operators and is best placed to advise on the appropriate level of service provision for new developments and must be consulted with as early as possible in the planning stages.

Bus providers should also be involved in the design process through discussions facilitated by the County Council.

The long-term support and maintenance of public transport services and infrastructure must be agreed before a development goes ahead.

Innovative funding mechanisms that support the early delivery of public transport are already in place in Surrey and should be considered on other schemes through discussion with Surrey County Council.