A group of operators in West Yorkshire, including the three largest in Arriva, First Bus and Transdev Blazefield, have come out against bus franchising proposals for the region and instead put forward a plan for reform that they term Enhanced Partnership Plus.
The operators are campaigning under a tagline of The Best for West Yorkshire to oppose long-expected reregulation plans. Those include a formal consultation and were published by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) on 10 October.
In addition to Arriva, First and Transdev Blazefield, smaller operators are also part of the work. Their interests are represented by the Confederation of Passenger Transport.
WYCA has already acknowledged concern among SME bus operators around the possibility for business loss via franchising, and said that it has proved “difficult” to engage with those organisations.
Among the many commitments aired in the EP Plus document are:
- A fully zero-emission bus fleet in West Yorkshire by 2036, and by 2030 for First Bus depots in Leeds
- A simplified and integrated fare structure
- A unified brand for buses in the conurbation and a standard interior specification for new vehicles
- An agreed process for network reinvestment where benefits are realised from public capital investment
- Pre-0930hrs free travel for ENCTS passholders
- A passenger incentive programme as part of loyalty rewards and fare trials and discounts.
Under WYCA’s approach, the first franchised buses in the conurbation could be rolled out from June 2026. Mayor Tracy Brabin is to make a decision on 14 March 2024 about how bus reform in West Yorkshire is handled, with an expectation that she will follow Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region and choose franchising.
However, the operator group says that EP Plus would instead deliver benefits for customers – including “accelerating public control” – without the burden and financial risk of a franchised model.
They note that in the independent auditor’s assessment on bus reform options in West Yorkshire, EP Plus is described as “justifiable” in terms of value for money.
Under the operator-led proposals, bus provision in West Yorkshire would be controlled via a network management group overseen by WYCA to recommend development and change to services.
When combined, all of the commitments laid down in the EP Plus “will deliver all the benefits of bus reform: A better network, including improved reliability, more frequent services, simpler ticketing, unified customer service, and electrification of the fleet,” the group says.
Also part of the cited benefits to EP Plus is “immediate improvement” to bus services, which the operators say would come much more quickly than via franchising. An unnamed spokesperson for the group accepts the need for reform, but says that partnership work in West Yorkshire has already shown its benefits.
“We have jointly rolled out the Mayor’s Fares initiative, capping single trips at £2; have made travel for young people under 19 simpler and fairer on any bus; and led the way in introducing a greener fleet,” they continue.
“All of this has been delivered in partnership, which is what makes EP Plus the stronger and less risky choice to guarantee the best bus service for West Yorkshire.
“We welcome the consultation into the future of bus services in the region, and we look forward to working with our partners, passengers and the public to arrive at the best solution for everyone.”
