Rotala set to be 'keen participant' in National Bus Strategy

Rotala responded to the publication of the government’s latest National Bus Strategy paper on Monday, titled ‘Bus Service Improvement Plans - Guidance to local authorities and bus operators’.

The AIM-traded bus operator said the paper provided further detailed guidance on the National Bus Strategy for England, set out in the paper ‘Bus Back Better’, which was published on 15 March.

A further guidance paper covering enhanced partnerships was expected to be published by the middle of the year.

Rotala said both papers published so far emphasised the need for both local authorities and bus operators to build on the working relationships which had arisen between them during the Covid-19.

“The government has enjoined local authorities and bus operators to move at speed in formulating bus service improvement plans, taking a lead from the planning lessons learned in the Covid-19 pandemic,” Rotala said in its statement.

“The Government has also promised £3bn of new investment in buses to underpin its strategy.”

Rotala’s board said it welcomed the announcements, and was intending to be a “keen participant” in the initiatives.

“The ultimate aim is both better bus services for customers and better customer satisfaction with the services provided.

“This can only be good for the long term health of the bus industry.”

At 1015 BST, shares in Rotala were up 3.88% at 35.32p.