Mayor of Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough Dr has announced he will franchise the region's bus
system, bringing services under greater public control to create
a more reliable, affordable, and passenger-focused
network.
The landmark decision marks the most
significant reform of the area's bus network in forty
years.
Under the new model, the Combined
Authority will set fares, routes, timetables and service
standards, working with contracted private bus operators to
ensure they are implemented and work effectively. Unlike the
current deregulated bus system, brought in under the 1985
Transport Act, franchising allows profits to be reinvested into
improved services.
The decision followed a recommendation
to the Mayor from the Combined Authority Board on Thursday
(February 6) to choose franchising as the best way to reform
buses. The alternative option, an Enhanced Partnership, would
have allowed closer collaboration with operators but left key
decisions on the bus network, like service levels, in private
hands.
Mayor Dr said: “This is one
of the most significant moments for local public transport in
decades.
“For too long, private control of
buses has meant ever-dwindling, unreliable services which don't
meet passenger need, are less-and-less affordable and often
require millions in public subsidy just to keep key routes going.
It is high time for change
“Bus franchising puts communities
first. It gives us the power to design a network that works for
the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, with better
routes, more frequent services, and a focus on connectivity, not
just what's profitable for
operators.
“This won't happen overnight –
franchising is a long-term project, and we have 40 years of
poorly-regulated dysfunction to undo. But this decision is a
major step towards a properly joined-up, high-quality public
transport system that delivers faster, more reliable, and
convenient journeys.”
Bus franchising will allow the
Combined Authority to:
The decision follows a major public
consultation, held from August to November last year, which saw
63% of more than 1,600 respondents back franchising. The Combined
Authority's Transport and Infrastructure Committee later reviewed
the consultation findings and unanimously recommend to the Mayor that he chooses
franchising as the best way
to reform the region's bus network.
The transition to franchising will be
carefully managed to ensure a smooth rollout with minimal
disruption. The first franchised services are expected to launch
in late 2027.
The Combined Authority will begin
formal preparations for implementation.
This will include engagement with
local communities, businesses and other transport stakeholders to
keep them updated on progress, and working with bus operators to
ensure a smooth transition to
franchising.
A sustainable funding model will also
be developed, with a mix of potential sources including revenue
from bus fares, the Transport Levy made up of contributions from
Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, the
Mayoral Precept, and Government funding and
grants.
In the period up to full transition,
the Combined Authority will continue its work to improve bus
services, including the Tiger on Demand rural services, the Tiger
bus pass offering £1 journeys for under 25s and maintaining the
£2 cap on fares through to the end of June 2025, with a small
rise to £2.50 to the end of December
2025.
These improvements are just a part of
a long-term plan to transform bus travel in Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough.
Notes to editors
-
To read the report to the Feburary
6 Combined Authority Board visit: https://democracy.cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=141&MId=570&Ver=4
-
As with all Board-level decisions,
Mayoral Decisions are subject to a 5 day ‘call-in' period
before they can be finalised.
-
The Mayoral Decision Notice can be
read here: MDN 001 - Mayoral Decision
Taking Forward Bus Reform in the Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough Combined.pdf
