A mayor-commissioned review into how
best to deliver bus franchising in Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough has concluded and set out a clear path
forward.
The Mayor will implement the
review's recommendation of a phased approach, starting in
2027, allowing the Combined Authority time to introduce
franchising in stages, keeping overall services more stable,
reducing risk and learning from schemes elsewhere in
the UK.
Under franchising, the Combined
Authority sets routes, timetables and fares, with bus
operators bidding for contracts to run
services.
Franchising offers the
opportunity to deliver a simpler, more reliable, and more
affordable network, including for rural
communities.
The independent review was chaired by
Leon Daniels, one of the UK's most experienced public transport
leaders. His work has resulted in a clear set
of recommendations, focused on
delivering the best outcome for the
region.
Crucially, this will not be a single,
overnight change and franchising will be introduced
step by step.
A key priority throughout this
transition will be to provide continuity of existing routes for
passengers.
,
said: I took a hard look at
how franchising would work here, and the original plans asked
taxpayers to bear too much of the potential cost. That is
not acceptable, and it is why I commissioned this
review.
We are still on track, but we will do
it responsibly, and according to these review
recommendations. We will take a phased approach that
reflects the reality of our area, learns from others, and builds
something that works.
This has always been about getting it
right. My focus remains on creating a bus network
people can rely on and that is simpler, more joined up,
and good value for money.
