Better Buses National Conference: In-person in York, and online
About this Event
Bus Deregulation:
Fighting to end 40 years of failure
Better Buses National Conference
The 26 October 1986 was known as ‘D-Day’, when the disastrous policy of bus deregulation was imposed everywhere across England, Scotland and Wales, except London.
It caused chaos, by stripping control over vital bus services away from public bodies and handing it to private companies instead. Since then, we’ve lost millions of miles of routes, fares have risen well above inflation and most parts of the country have been left with an expensive, unreliable and fragmented bus system that does not meet communities’ needs.
But after 40 years of failure, the tide is finally turning against bus deregulation. New publicly-controlled systems are now in place – or soon will be over the next few years – in many parts of England and Wales.
Join our Better Buses National Conference to hear more about the grassroots campaigns which have led to this much needed policy change. We will learn more about the history of bus deregulation, the campaigners who fought against it at the time, and the devastating impact it has had on human rights.
There will be practical workshops exploring the progress being made in different parts of the country, sharing skills and providing tips to help you get involved in the fight for Better Buses for all.
Speakers include:
Professor Philip Alston - former UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty & Human Rights and author of 'Public Transport, Private Profit: The Human Cost of Privatising Buses in the United Kingdom'
Organised & Supported by:
Yorkshire & Humber Pensioners Convention, York Bus Forum, Better Buses for West Yorkshire, Better Buses for South Yorkshire, Get Glasgow Moving, Better Buses for Strathclyde, Save Our Buses Kent, UCU Yorkshire & Humberside Retired Members Branch, North East Public Transport Users Group, We Own It, Leeds Disabled People Against Cuts, Better Buses East Midlands, Association of British Commuters, Unite Community South Yorkshire, RMT Ashford No.1 Branch and Fare Free London.
Accessibility information:
The venue is wheelchair accessible, has a wheelchair accessible toilet and a hearing loop. Please see the venue website for further details.
The Better Buses National Conference is part of York Environment Festival 2026
Agenda
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Registration
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Opening Plenary
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Morning Workshops
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
Lunch (provided)
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:15 PM
Keynote from Professor Philip Alston (via Zoom)
🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM
Afternoon Workshops
🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:00 PM
Closing Plenary
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
