Notice of Intention to prepare an Assessment of a Proposed Franchising Scheme.
17 August 2026
In accordance with Section 123C(4) of the Bus Services Act 2017 and the Bus Services Act 2025 and in line with the Funding agreement with Department for Transport, Milton Keynes City Council is publishing its intention to prepare a full assessment of a proposed franchising scheme for the Milton Keynes city area.
Bus franchising is where a local transport authority, such as a council, designs and controls a city's bus network, including routes, frequencies, fares, ticketing, and service standards. Bus operators then compete for contracts to operate services specified by the authority, rather than deciding themselves where services operate based on their own commercial decisions.
A franchising assessment is a formal legal and economic evaluation to determine whether franchising is achievable, value for money and of public benefit. It does not itself constitute a decision to franchise by Milton Keynes City Council.
For further information please contact passenger.transport@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Local Authority Grant Spending Plan
DfT has committed £3.6m in a mix of revenue and capital funding to MK for public transport priorities as identified through our Enhanced Partnership with operators, to be delivered in the 25/26 financial year.
The Partnership and the Stakeholder group were given an opportunity to input into priorities and these are reflected in the schemes given priority.
The spending plan shows the funded items (shaded) in addition to business as usual and major projects being undertaken by the council (not shaded).
Contract and subsidy values will be published as part of the Council’s transparency data.
Local Authority Grant Spending Plan
2025/2026 Programme Report
Explore how the Enhanced Partnership has delivered a wide range of improvements to bus services across Milton Keynes, funded through Bus Grant funding. This includes better passenger information, upgraded infrastructure, accessibility enhancements and initiatives designed to encourage more people to travel by bus.
Milton Keynes Bus Service Improvement Plan
Milton Keynes City Council's (MKCC) - Bus Service Improvement Plan (BISP) sets out a shared vision for excellent, green and inclusive public transport in Milton Keynes and was developed jointly with operators.
Milton Keynes Bus Service Improvement Plan
Milton Keynes Bus Partnership: Enhances Partnership Plan and Scheme
Milton Keynes Public Transport Passenger Charter
This charter was written and signed by the following Local Transport Authorities and Bus Operators: Milton Keyes Council Passenger Transport, Arriva, Vale Travel, Z&S Transport, Red Rose Travel, Stagecoach, Uno, Grant Palmer and other operators in Milton Keynes area.
This Passenger’s Charter sets out our commitment to deliver a safe, reliable and high-quality bus provision in Milton Keynes. It identifies the minimum standards you should expect from our service. It also explains what to do if things go wrong and how you can get in touch with your ideas and comments.
Milton Keynes Public Transport Passenger Charter
Transport Satisfaction Survey
Take a few moments to let us know about your journey today.