The Act also provides for mayoral combined authorities to partially re-regulate bus services by creating franchise schemes similar to the one operated by Transport for London.

[1] On 24 June 2019, Transport for Greater Manchester proposed that a bus franchise system was the region's preferred option.

[2] The Greater Manchester Combined Authority accepted the assessment on 28 June 2019 and instructed independent auditors to provide a report as required by the Act.

[8] On 25 March 2021 Andy Burnham announced the decision that buses in Greater Manchester would be franchised following nine of the ten local authority members of the GMCA voting in favour of the scheme.

[12] In March 2022 the franchising system was judged by the courts to be lawful,[13] with both Stagecoach and Rotala stating they were disappointed by the decision.

[19] Between 23 October 2024 and 15 January 2025 South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority held a public consultation on bus reform in the region (Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham).