Services and infrastructure will be improved through deal, which builds on existing work
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) has approved plans for an enhanced partnership arrangement with bus operators that it says will deliver major improvements to services in the county.
Under the Intalink Enhanced Partnership, the local authority and over 20 operators will work more closely together. Coach and bus services will be prioritised and improved, and infrastructure will be upgraded.
The bus network will be more closely integrated and better use will be made of data and information. Additionally, aspirational targets for county-wide punctuality will be set, which will rise by 2.5% each year until 2024/25.
The new arrangement will build on work done under the existing Intalink Partnership. HCC says that is a “unique collaboration” between itself, bus operators, train operating companies and local councils that has been established for over 20 years.
The existing arrangement has already resulted in improvements to the provision of information and publicity and mobile and multi-operator ticketing. The enhanced partnership will go beyond that as HCC plans for the expected 100,000 new homes that will be built in the county by 2031.
Says Cabinet Member for Growth, Infrastructure, Planning and the Economy Derrick Ashley: “These plans will help to make sure that bus travel is an attractive and practical option.
“Many people will still rely on their car for essential journeys. But where there are alternatives, we want to encourage them to leave their cars behind.”
