[F1123MVariation of schemeE+W
(1)The franchising authority or authorities operating a franchising scheme may vary, or acting jointly may vary, the scheme.
(2)If the authority or authorities decide to vary a franchising scheme, the authority or authorities must—
(a)publish a notice of the decision, and
(b)give notice of the decision to a traffic commissioner.
(3)The notice of the decision must state the date on which the variations of the scheme are to have effect.
(4)The date must fall after a period of six months beginning with the date on which notice of the decision is published.
(5)The notice must be published, and notice must be given to a traffic commissioner, within a period of 14 days beginning with the date on which the decision was made.
(6)If a franchising authority are a mayoral combined authority, the function of deciding whether to make a proposed variation is a function of the combined authority exercisable only by the mayor acting on behalf of the combined authority (including in a case where the decision is to act jointly to vary a scheme).
[F2(6A)If a franchising authority are a mayoral CCA, the function of deciding whether to make a proposed variation is a function of the combined county authority exercisable only by the mayor acting on behalf of the combined county authority (including in a case where the decision is to act jointly to vary a scheme).]
(7)The references in subsections (1) to (6) to the franchising authority or authorities in relation to a franchising scheme include a reference to a franchising authority who are not operating the scheme but would do so under a proposed variation.
(8)The variation of a franchising scheme is subject to the same procedure as the making of a franchising scheme, except that—
(a)the procedure may be modified or excluded in its application to the variation of a scheme by regulations under section 123U,
(b)sections 123B, 123C, 123D and 123F(2) do not apply, and
(c)section 123G(3) does not apply.
(9)If the variation of a franchising scheme would involve adding an area to the area to which the scheme relates, subsection (8) has effect in relation to the variation but without subsection (8)(b).]
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 123A-123X and cross-heading inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 4, 26(3)
F2S. 123M(6A) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(2)(c), Sch. 4 para. 131 (with s. 247)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Pt. 2: functions made exercisable (28.2.2024) by The East Midlands Combined County Authority Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/232), regs. 1(2), 15(1)
C2Pt. 2: transfer of functions (2.11.2018) by The Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland Combined Authority (Establishment and Functions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1133), arts. 1, 7 (with art. 28)
C3Pt. 2 functions made exercisable (2.11.2018) by The Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland Combined Authority (Establishment and Functions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1133), arts. 1, 9 (with art. 28)
C4Ss. 123A-123X: functions transferred (28.2.2024) by The East Midlands Combined County Authority Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/232), regs. 1(2), 15(2)