The act was created as a response to growing concern about the environmental effect the private transportation was having and the public's objection to an increase in road construction.

[1] The Act was introduced by Nicholas Ridley and it committed to reduce the amount the public paid for commercial objects.

The deregulation of buses applied throughout Great Britain, excluding bus services in Greater London, and was led by the Conservative government.

[1] Deregulation, elimination of barriers, and the transfer to the private sector were some of the major changes the Act established.

The Act also mandated that local governments publish statements of their own policies for bus services deemed socially vital that were not operated by commercial companies.

[1] Part I of the Act removed, excluding London, the need for the required road service licence throughout the United Kingdom.

[1] Deregulation also led to firms being able to charge any fares they wish, run routes, and freely enter and leave the market.