Good to hear that Liberal Democrats in the West of England are calling on the West of England Mayor to publish a clear timetable for bringing the region’s bus network under public control.
Four Lib Dem Group Leaders from across the West of England want the regional Bus Plan to set out the steps towards bus franchising, giving elected representatives control over routes, fares and timetables and making services accountable to the communities they serve.
With wide transport powers and funding being devolved to Combined Authorities, and an upcoming new regional Bus Plan for the West, the time is right to set out a clear roadmap and timetable towards increasing public control. This would create more opportunities to deliver much-needed routes and improved standards.
The current bus system is a complex web of commercial, subsidised and Combined Authority Westlink services. More control is needed over routes – particularly over routes serving less connected areas. Bus franchising would return services to public control, and give democratic oversight over routes, fares and timetables. The Lib Dems have long campaigned for franchising for our region.
In a joint statement, Lib Dem Leaders Cllr Mike Bell (North Somerset), Cllr Jos Clark, (Bristol), Cllr Kevin Guy (B&NES), and Cllr Maggie Tyrrell (South Gloucestershire), said:
“People need buses they can rely on to get to work, reach college or make a hospital appointment. Too many residents still cannot depend on having a service where and when they need it.
“We welcome improvements to local services. But communities need confidence that the connections they rely on will last. They should not have to keep fighting the same battles over routes and timetables.
“We want the public in charge of our buses. Decisions about the network should rest with elected representatives who answer to local people, with the power to plan services around the needs of the whole region.
“Franchising gives us the means to do that. It must be backed by investment and a clear commitment to reliable, affordable services, including for communities that are currently poorly connected.
“The Mayor should use the regional Bus Plan to set out a clear timetable for public control, explaining what needs to happen, when decisions will be made and when passengers could see the changes.
“Residents deserve a bus network they can count on. They deserve a timetable for making it happen, too.”
