314.The bus services that are covered by this Chapter are local services that have stopping places within the Greater London area (including the London section of a service that runs partly outside London). There are exceptions, such as those services that have stopping places more than 15 miles apart and rail replacement services. The Act sets out provisions with which such services will have to comply. Failure to do so is an offence which may result in a fine up to a maximum of level 3 on the standard scale (level 3 is currently set under the Criminal Justice Acts at £1,000).
315.A PSV operator's licence, provisions for which are set out in the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981, is normally required by anyone carrying fare-paying passengers in vehicles over a certain size. Community bus permits (section 22 of the Transport Act 1985) are granted by traffic commissioners for certain types of non profit-making services serving particular communities.
Commentary on Sections Part Iv: Transport Chapter V: Regulation of Bus Services in Greater London Sections 179 and 180: Introductory