Bus operators across West Yorkshire have set out their final case for bus reform ahead of a decision due to be made by the Mayor next month.
They argue their ‘Enhanced Partnership Plus’ model delivers the public control the Mayor pledged during her 2021 election campaign with less financial risk to the public purse, whilst bringing significant improvements to passengers’ journeys much quicker than franchising.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) consultation on bus reform ended in January, with Mayor Tracy Brabin’s stated preference being franchising. However, an alliance of bus operators from across the region have been arguing that whilst bus reform is needed, there is a quicker way of achieving agreed improvements with significantly less risk to taxpayers.
An independent poll conducted on behalf of The Best for West Yorkshire – the campaign being run by bus operators in the region – showed that two-thirds (66%) of people in West Yorkshire believe the financial risk of running the region’s buses should remain with private bus operators and not transfer to taxpayers, which would be the situation if the Mayor chooses franchising.
WYCA has estimated that it will need to spend at least £100m setting up the required administration, buying buses and depots from operators to prepare for a franchised system.
The poll of more than 1,000 people living in the region also revealed that 60% of respondents wanted bus reform ‘from 2024 with an Enhanced Partnership Plus model between bus operators and the Combined Authority’.
A spokesperson for The Best for West Yorkshire campaign said: “It’s plain and simple: Enhanced Partnership Plus fulfils the Mayor’s pledge and it does so with less financial risk to the public purse, bringing about control and improvements far quicker than franchising.
“Our solution has been designed around the particular requirements of West Yorkshire and comes with significantly less financial risk at a time when local authority budgets are increasingly under pressure.”
Improvements to bus services are already being delivered in partnership in other parts of the country, including successful trials of London-style multi-journey caps on prices, which could be rolled out in the West Yorkshire region under Enhanced Partnership Plus.
The Mayor is due to make a decision on which option to take on 14 March. Further information on the campaign by bus operators can be found at The Best for West Yorkshire.
