The UK government has introduced new legislation, the Buses Bill, to grant local authorities in England more control over bus services in a bid to reverse the declining trend in bus usage over the past decade. The move aims to empower local transport authorities to tailor public transportation to the specific needs of their communities. The government has also initiated a consultation process to guide local leaders in transitioning services into public control. The proposed Bill, inspired by the successes of cities like London and Manchester, would enable local authorities to operate their own bus services, manage routes, timetables, and fares. This shift towards public control is intended to revitalize bus services and potentially increase passenger numbers. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh emphasized the importance of delivering improved bus services, with a focus on supporting local leaders in providing efficient and passenger-centric services. While the measures were welcomed by various stakeholders, including the Urban Transport Group, Shadow Transport Secretary Helen Whately criticized Labour's unfunded plans and called for an extension of the fare cap instead. The announcement also coincided with ongoing pressure on the government's plans to transition the UK's bus fleet to zero-emission models. A recent report highlighted the need to introduce a significant number of zero-emission buses annually to meet regional net-zero targets by 2036, as the UK aims to expand its zero-emission fleet beyond London to other regions nationwide.