Editorial Disclaimer

1. Introduction 

The Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE) is a DfT-funded programme hosted by the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT). BCoE is committed to publishing accurate, impartial, and professionally balanced content relevant to local bus policy, service planning, operations, bus reform, and professional development. 

This editorial policy sets out the standards that govern all content published by BCoE, including: 

2. Editorial Independence and Standards 

BCoE editorial content is produced and managed independently of any commercial, political, or institutional interest. Our editorial decisions are made by BCoE staff on the basis of relevance, accuracy, balance, and professional value to our membership and the wider local transport sector. 

We maintain a clear separation between independent editorial content and any sponsored, partnership, or commercially supported content. Where content has been produced in partnership with, or supported by, an external organisation, this will be clearly disclosed. 

3. Sources and Content Production 

3.1 BCoE-produced content 

Content produced by BCoE staff or commissioned contributors is reviewed for accuracy, balance, timeliness, and relevance before publication. All content is approved by a member of BCoE staff prior to publication. 

3.2 Third-party and partner content 

Third-party content may be sourced from the Department for Transport, Local Transport Authorities, Combined Authorities, Sub-national Transport Bodies, bus operators, trade associations, academic institutions, consultants, suppliers and other credible organisations in the local transport sector. All third-party content is assessed for reliability before being published or distributed. 

Where content is sourced from a third party without full editorial review (for example, a government press release or news item), we will clearly identify the source and rely on our assessment of that source's editorial standards and credibility. 

3.3 AI-assisted content 

BCoE may use AI-assisted tools to support content creation, including drafting, summarising, editing, and research. All published content — whether on our website, in the newsletter, on social media, or in event materials — is reviewed, verified, and approved by a member of BCoE staff prior to publication. AI-generated content will not be published without human review. BCoE will not attribute AI-generated content to a named individual without disclosure. 

4. Newsletter and Communications Editorial Standards 

The BCoE newsletter is a primary channel for communicating with our membership and the wider local transport sector. The following standards apply: 

5. Advertising, Sponsorship and Financial Relationships 

BCoE does not carry commercial advertising in its editorial channels, including the newsletter and website. BCoE's activities are funded by the Department for Transport. Where partnership or co-branded content appears on BCoE platforms - for example, content produced in collaboration with a Combined Authority, operator, professional body or research institution - the nature of that relationship will be clearly disclosed. 

BCoE will not allow financial relationships with third parties to influence editorial decisions. Any sponsored or supported content will be clearly labelled as such and will meet the same standards of accuracy and balance as independent editorial content. 

6. Linking to Other Websites 

BCoE may provide links to external websites for informational purposes. The inclusion of a link does not constitute an endorsement of the linked site or its content, unless we explicitly state otherwise. We design our communications to make it clear when you are navigating away from BCoE's own platforms. We are not responsible for the editorial policies, privacy practices, or content of external sites. 

7. Content Review, Correction and Archiving 

BCoE reviews published content regularly to ensure it remains accurate, relevant, and up to date. Where content is found to be incorrect or outdated, it will be corrected, updated, moved to an archive, or removed as appropriate. Where material changes are made to published content, an editor's note will be added to indicate the nature and date of the change. 

8. Feedback, Questions and Complaints 

We welcome comments, questions, or complaints about this editorial policy or the content on our platforms. Please contact us at: