Rival campaigners have made their final arguments over whether West Yorkshire’s bus service will undergo one of the biggest shake ups in its history.
A consultation on the possible franchising of buses in the county closes today (Sunday).
Depending on the response, it could lead to all buses in West Yorkshire coming under control of the region’s mayor, who would have a greater say on routes, frequency and fares.
Last year a review of bus services in the region found that franchising would be the preferred option, with the suggestion put to a public consultation.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin will make a final decision in March, and if franchising goes ahead the first franchised buses would be rolled out around 2027.
On Friday a campaign to push ahead with franchising – better buses for West Yorkshire – visited Bradford Interchange, rolling out a banner highlighting the fact that 12,000 people have signed a petition calling for greater public control of bus services.
It was part of a tour of all West Yorkshire’s major bus stations, and campaigners were joined by Bradford West MP Naz Shah and Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Keighley and Ilkley, John Grogan.
On the opposite side of the debate, bus operators are arguing that rather than franchising a “enhanced partnership” between the Mayor and bus operators could lead to bus service improvements.
They have released the findings of a survey commissioned on their behalf, claiming 64 per cent of Bradford residents want the enhanced partnership over franchising.
Councillor Matt Edwards, Leader of the Green Party Group representing Tong, supports the call for franchising, saying: “The big bus companies have failed to improve bus services for too long. Over the last ten years nearly half of bus services have been cut – often in the communities that need them the most.
“The communities I represent have some of the lowest car ownership rates in West Yorkshire and many people are dependent on local buses – but they have to deal with services that are regularly late – if they turn up at all, the oldest buses and little choice of destination.”
Bus operators say their survey of over 1,000 people showed that 60 per cent of people wanted services to be improved this year rather than the later timescale franchising would provide.
Andrew Cullen, Managing Director of First Bus in North & West Yorkshire, said: “We agree with the Mayor that bus reform is needed, but strongly believe there is a better alternative to franchising by choosing Enhanced Partnership Plus, an option which is truly unique to the needs of West Yorkshire.”
To have your say visit yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/busreform
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