Explanatory note

These Regulations, which apply to Wales, amend the Bus Service Operators Grant (Wales) Regulations 2002 (“the 2002 Regulations”).

The 2002 Regulations define “eligible bus services” for the purposes of section 154 of the Transport Act 2000. That section makes provision as to payment of grants to operators of eligible bus services. An eligible bus service includes in specified circumstances a service provided or secured by a local authority for the purpose of learner travel.

Section 509 of the Education Act 1996 (“the Act”) placed an obligation on local education authorities in Wales to make arrangements for the provision of transport to facilitate the attendance of persons receiving education at schools and certain other institutions. Section 509 of the Act has been replaced for Wales by the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 (“the Measure”). Sections 3, 4 and 6 of the Measure now make provision as to a local authority’s functions in relation to learner travel arrangements.

These Regulations amend regulation 3(1)(a)(i) of the 2002 Regulations so as to refer to sections 3, 4 and 6 of the Measure instead of section 509 of the Act.