To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation process is necessary prior to the alteration of commercial bus services and whether there are plans to enhance this process.

Bus operators are required to inform local transport authorities of service changes 14 days prior to notifying changes to the Traffic Commissioner. This allows local transport authority officers time to spot errors in timetables or maps and advise operators of required changes that need to be made prior to submission of the application to the Traffic Commissioner. Operators are required to inform passengers of service changes 21 days prior to changes coming into effect. There are no current plans to amend this process.