Bus services are entering a third post-deregulation “hybrid” age as a reflection of their operating climate, Go-Ahead Group Managing Director UK Regional Bus Martin Dean told the ALBUM conference in April.
He says such a framing follows ages of entrepreneurialism and consolidation. Before then, the bus industry was in “the prehistoric age,” with too much red tape and monopoly preservation.
The hybrid age succeeds consolidation, during when it was recognised that the free market did not always provide the best outcome for bus services. Mr Dean uses the term in recognition that “heavy-duty partnerships” are in place, of the climate emergency, and of how the sector has benefited from much public funding since early 2020.
Go-Ahead is one of the major beneficiaries of bus franchising in Greater Manchester, and it is expected to bid in the Liverpool City Region and West Yorkshire. Mr Dean says devolution “is here to stay,” and that elected mayors increasingly see buses as important parts of life in their regions.
Because of that, he suggests that the next age for the sector will be one of prominence. While 10 years ago it saw little political attention compared to rail, it now gets a lot, and the industry’s show largely of resilience since 2020 has helped that cause.
“If the sector embraces the future, it could be on the verge of a golden age,” Mr Dean continues. With the influence of politicians such as Andy Burnham and Tracy Brabin, Go-Ahead believes that more franchising is inevitable, although he adds that while the regulatory approach is front and centre, customers must not be forgotten.
In the most strongly worded part of his address, Mr Dean attacked current notice periods of up to 70 days for service registrations. That is “outdated,” and while accepting that it may be understandable when a route is to be withdrawn, a much more responsive approach is needed where changes are planned.
Mr Dean also turned his ire to roadworks and their impact on services. He advocates greater pressure on utilities companies to complete work quicker and expansion of lane rental.
In the longer-term, he believes that “a tipping point” will be reached where buses receive more favourable allocation of road space, although there is an acceptance that such a move is politically difficult.
