Bus Services (Wales) Act 2026
The Bus Services (Wales) Act 2026 (“the 2026 Act”) establishes a new legislative framework to support the delivery of local bus services as part of a wider “one network, one timetable, one ticket” reform of public transport in Wales.
The 2026 Act:
- places a duty on the Welsh Ministers to determine and secure, as far as reasonably practicable, local bus services that are required for the purpose of safe, integrated, sustainable, efficient and economic transport in Wales;
- requires Welsh Ministers to prepare and publish the Welsh Bus Network Plan setting out the essential characteristics of services they consider are required to fulfil the duty to secure the delivery of those services;
- creates new data sharing provisions and a new sanctions regime. The sanctions regime applies to those who operate local bus services otherwise than in accordance with the Act, and those who fail to comply with the data sharing provisions;
- lifts the restriction on local authorities establishing their own bus companies.
The Explanatory Notes to the 2026 Act provide detailed commentary on the various provisions.
Coming into force
Section 48 makes provision for the coming into force of the 2026 Act.
The following provisions came into force on 3 February 2026:
- sections 1 to 3, 5(6) and (7), 11, 14(2) and (3), 15(1) and (2), 27(3)(b), (4) and (5), 28(3)(b) and (4), 29(2) to (5), 30, 32(2)(b), (8), (9)(a)(i) and (9)(b)(i), 42 to 46, 48 and 49.
Section 4 and section 21 are in force from 2 April 2026 (two months after the Act received Royal Assent).
The other provisions of this Act come into force on a day appointed by the Welsh Ministers in an order made by Welsh statutory instrument. No such orders have yet been made.
Subordinate legislation made under the Act
Any subordinate legislation made under the 2026 Act will be added when that subordinate legislation is made.
Consideration of the legislation by the Senedd
The Bill was introduced to the Senedd on 31 March 2025 by Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales. It was passed by the Senedd on 9 December 2025 and received Royal Assent on 2 February 2026.
More information about the 2026 Act is provided on the Senedd website including a record of the Bill’s passage through the Senedd.
An Explanatory Memorandum was originally prepared for consideration by the Senedd alongside the Bill. This has now been revised and updated to reflect the final form of the 2026 Act.