110.Sections 135 to 138 empower local transport authorities, alone or jointly, to set up ticketing schemes, whereby operators of local bus services are required to make and implement arrangements to accept each other’s tickets or provide integrated ticketing in ways specified in the scheme. “Ticketing scheme” is described in section 135(3) to (5) and may include provisions requiring bus service operators to make available tickets for journeys both for separate bus services and intermodal journeys. In making a scheme, however, the local transport authorities must be satisfied that this is in the public interest and implements their bus strategy.
111.Many bus operators are already involved in area-wide ticketing. But they cannot at present be compelled to do so by law.
112.Section 136 imposes consultation requirements upon an authority intending to introduce such a scheme. Section 137 provides that an authority may make the scheme as proposed or with modifications (subsection (1)) and may vary a scheme (subsection (6)). It also imposes requirements as to publicity when a decision is taken to make a scheme and requires an authority to obtain the agreement of train or tram operators before making a scheme which applies to tickets for journeys on those modes.
113.Section 138 imposes a duty on operators to implement the scheme from the date it comes into force (not less than 3 months after making: section 137(3)). Failure to do so may attract enforcement action by the traffic commissioner under section 26 or 111 of the 1985 Act, by virtue of amendments made to those provisions by paragraphs 10 and 22 of Schedule 10 to the Act. (See also section 155(1).)
Commentary on Sections Part II: Local Transport Sections 135 to 138: Bus Services: Ticketing Schemes