114.Sections 139 to 141 require local transport authorities, alone or jointly (see section 141(3)), to determine in accordance with their local transport plan what local bus information (as defined in section 139(6)) should be made available, and how, and to seek to arrange with operators for its provision. If arrangements cannot be made by agreement, the authority must make the information available or secure that it is made available, and in such a case it is given power to recover reasonable costs from the operators concerned (section 140).
115.Section 141 provides that, in exercising their powers, the authority must have regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness, and must not discriminate against operators.
116.A duty is imposed on operators by section 140(3) to furnish information to the authority or a third party in such circumstances, to enable the authority to meet its obligations. 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 21 of Schedule 11 to the Act.
Commentary on Sections Part II: Local Transport Sections 139 to 141: Bus Services: Provision of information