It will provide a practical resource for local authorities, combined authorities, operators and wider industry
LONDON (22 September, 2026) – A consortium of AECOM, Arup and Campaign for Better Transport has been appointed by the Department for Transport to develop a new national guidance document on the safety and accessibility of bus stopping places.
Although there are many examples of good practice, guidance relating to the safety and accessibility of bus stopping places is currently dispersed across a range of documents, with varying levels of detail, coverage and status. The Department for Transport has identified a need for a single, consistent and comprehensive source of national guidance that brings together existing good practice and establishes clear expectations for accessible and safe stopping places.
The Bus Services Act 2025 made provision for the production of statutory guidance on the safety and accessibility of stopping places and introduced requirements for National Highways and certain local authorities and National Highways to have regard to it.
The consortium has now been appointed to produce the new national guidance. It will provide a practical resource for local authorities, combined authorities, operators and other organisations involved in the planning, design, delivery and management of bus stopping places, and help to promote a more consistent approach across the country.
In developing the guidance, the consortium will engage with stakeholders from across the sector to understand key requirements, identify good practice, and explore opportunities to improve access to bus services for communities across England.
“AECOM is delighted to work with Arup and Campaign for Better Transport to develop this new guidance,” said Christian Bodé, Technical lead, AECOM. “Engagement with stakeholders will be our priority – to fully understand the needs of users, operators, planners and designers. We want to improve safety and user experience, address barriers to travel, and provide a framework for the delivery of best practice applicable in all environments.”
“Everyone should be able to access bus services safely, independently and with confidence,” said Liani Baglietto, Project Manager, Arup. “This guidance will provide a more consistent foundation for decision-making, supporting relevant authorities to deliver and manage stopping places that are safe, accessible and inclusive, while responding to local needs and circumstances.”
Campaign for Better Transport has a key role in the project and has already done substantial investigation and cross-sector engagement in their own initiative to promote a standardised approach to bus stopping infrastructure.
“Our research has shown that accessible, comfortable bus stops with up-to-date information are crucial for enabling more people to travel by bus with confidence,” said Silviya Barrett, Director of Policy and Research at Campaign for Better Transport. “Having first called for a national standard for bus stop infrastructure and information in 2024, we are delighted to be working with Arup and AECOM to now deliver this crucial guidance.”
Notes to editors
- Campaign for Better Transport’s report “Better Bus Stops: Creating a national bus stop standard” (December 2024) found that 47% of people would use the bus more often if they had a clean and comfortable bus shelter, and called for the creation of a national bus stop standard for bus stop infrastructure and information. Campaign for Better Transport’s Better Bus Stops campaign has been shortlisted for Campaign of the Year by the 2026 National Transport Awards.
- Campaign for Better Transport operates in England and Wales. Campaign for Better Transport’s vision is for all communities to have access to high-quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life, reduces inequality, and supports a vibrant, productive and decarbonised economy. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).
About AECOM
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.