Luton Bus Service Improvement Plan and Enhanced Partnership

The National Bus Strategy (2021) required all Local Transport Authorities in England to operate under a Franchise or Enhanced Partnership with bus operators. In Luton we operate under an Enhanced Partnership.

Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP)

In April 2022, the Department for Transport (DfT) awarded us an indicative funding award of £19.1 million in respect of our Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). 

Go to the Bus Service Improvement Plan

The money was to enable us and local bus operators to implement a wide range of improvements to Luton’s bus network and associated infrastructure, including:

• upgrades to bus infrastructure, including stops, shelters, and real-time information screens
• new bus priorities to achieve reliability, punctuality, passenger experience and satisfaction
• improved ticketing and cheaper fares for child (aged 5 to 16), young persons (aged 17 to 21), adult and multi operator fares capping
• improved bus information
• improvements to local bus service levels
• introduction of Butterfield Park & Ride site and service
• increased frequency on the busway to attain targeted passenger growth
• joint partnership working with neighbouring authorities - Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Council, alongside bus operators and stakeholders on various measures to improve the bus network in the PAN Bedfordshire region

To use the BSIP funding, we entered into a statutory Enhanced Partnership (EP) with local bus operators.

Bus service improvements for 2025 to 2026

As part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan, we are making the following improvements to bus services and infrastructure in Luton.

Driver rest area at Luton Interchange to improve scheduling and timely departure of services

Provision of area where drivers can take breaks, consume food and have necessary comfort facilities. The current arrangements are part of the Starbucks Cafe, totally unsuitable for the demands of the site as the Interchange has grown over the past 10 years.

Safety review of the Luton to Dunstable Busway

The review has identified areas where improvements must be made. Looking to develop a scheme for use in current year and future years to improve safety along many parts of the open Busway, including potential fencing in exposed areas.

Investment in more safe waiting areas with improved access

Prove 30 more bus shelters to be agreed based on boarding data (high utilisation), introducing shelters where none exist at present, with footway improvements to improve access.

Convert Roundabout at Crawley Green/Vauxhall Way to a signalised junction

Cost of development of design through to consultation and then to delivery on site. This project is likely to have a 24 month span, due to the nature of the site.

A large roundabout at Vauxhall Way is to be replaced with a signalised junction with four arms with bus priority. This will improve access for buses serving the airport, south of Luton and cross boundary services into Hertfordshire.

Additional RTPI screen with audio announcements for bus shelters

Already improved through phase 1 BSIP. More Paper White displays with voice activation at key locations to deliver real time bus arrivals.

Continued support for the successful Luton Hip Hop multi operator weekly tickets for adults and children

This allows weekly fixed cost using any bus by any operators with the ticket purchased from anyone of the 6 bus operators.

Discounted from £20 to £13.50 for adults and £14 to £10 for children, this measure has delivered significant passenger growth and the tickets have become very popular amongst bus users attracting new users.

Maintain acceptance of English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) before 9.30am

ENCTS ridership is still below pre covid pandemic levels. By lifting the pre-9.30am travel restrictions, we expect ridership to increase in 2025 to 2026.

Staff support for BSIP

Funding support to be supported by some capital element on delivery of those parts of the project.

Maintain current tender arrangements for evening and Sunday service and introduce new Park and Ride services at 15 minute frequency

Bus service support from BSIP phase 1 included continued support beyond 2025 to 31 March 2026. This supports the provision of evening and Sunday services on 8 key routes in Luton that currently delivers 12,000 extra passenger journeys per month (and growing).

It also funds the introduction of a new Park and Ride service from Butterfield Park to reduce traffic congestion in the town centre

Second year funding for the development of recently introduced commercial daytime services

Bus service support from BSIP phase 1 included the continued 'pump prime' funding of commercial services into 2025 to 2026. These are new services offering better connections to health and education facilities, along with more services to London Luton Airport currently delivering extra 55,000 passenger journeys per month (and growing).

Construction of Park and Ride facility at Butterfield Park

Delivery of the Butterfield Park and Ride site in the year ahead, delays experienced following flooding in November and December 2024. Construction expected to commence in 2025. Brought Forward from phase 1 BSIP.