Bus franchising consultation launched by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority

A 14-week consultation has begun to help determine whether local bus services should be brought under public control.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is inviting the public to have their say before it decides how to reform the region’s bus network.

Chief executive Rob Bridge said: “The start of our bus franchising consultation, which will help decide the future of buses in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, is a key step towards improving services for our local communities. The way our buses are currently operated is going to change so this consultation matters.

“We really want to hear from as many people and organisations as possible, so don’t miss out and make sure you have your say.”

The Combined Authority commissioned independent transport consultant ITP to undertake a detailed assessment of the area’s transport needs and provide an outline business case assessment for bus reform.

The assessment outlined two approaches: a franchising solution and an enhanced partnership approach. The consultation compares the two approaches.

Under a franchised network, the Combined Authority would contract bus operators to run services on its behalf but have control over the routes, frequency, fares and overall standards of the region’s buses.

An enhanced partnership solution, while producing benefits over the current bus service, provides less control over the routes, frequency and overall delivery of the services.

The consultation and associated drop-in events run from 14 August until 20 November.

Documents together with a questionnaire can be viewed online at https://cpca-yourvoice.co.uk/bus-franchising-consultation/.

There are two versions of the questionnaire – a short version made up of 10 questions and a long version comprising 31 questions.

Paper copies or large print versions of the consultation documents will be available, and people will also be able to request a copy in the following languages: Polish, Lithuanian, Portuguese and Urdu.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor Dr Nik Johnson has long argued the case for franchising of bus services in the county.

Since 1986, bus services in England – but not London – have been deregulated, meaning they are mainly run by private bus companies that have control over their routes, timetables, ticket options, fares and bus frequency.

However, the Bus Services Act gave city regions the power to introduce bus franchising in 2017.