BCoE Bus Forum -February 2026

The BCoE Bus Forum is a recurring meeting bringing together the Department for Transport, local authorities, and bus operators  to share best practice and discuss key sector developments. 

The agenda for the meeting held on 11 February 2026 was as follows.

Slides for each item are linked within the agenda, and the full recording is available at the bottom of this page.

• Bus Improvement Legacy Programme & Consolidated Funding
  Ben Ridehalgh (Deputy Head, Bus Funding, DfT)
  Luca Vitali (Funding & Programme Manager, Bus Funding & Ticketing, DfT)

• EP Review Publication and Next Steps
  Selene Wilson (Head of Enhanced Partnerships Policy, Bus Reform, DfT)

• Bus Franchising Manual
  Sophie Zachulski (Senior Transport Planner, Arup)
  Nishani Balendra (Head of Bus Franchising Support, DfT)
  Mike Weston (Independent Advisor)

• Investigating the Human Factors Behind Low Bridge Strikes
  Ruth Madigan (Associate Professor, University of Leeds).