By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: SME bus operators ‘must feed into pre-election policy debate’
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > Bus > SME bus operators ‘must feed into pre-election policy debate’
BusBus re-regulationNewsOperatorsPoliticsTop Story

SME bus operators ‘must feed into pre-election policy debate’

Tim Deakin
Tim Deakin
Published: May 13, 2024
Share
SME operators must feed into pre election bus policy says ALBUM
SHARE

SME bus operators should use time before the general election to feed into policy matters that impact them, ALBUM members heard at the group’s recent conference in Cheshire.

Contents
Franchising take-up ‘may not reach Labour expectations’ALBUM opposes BSOG devolution in EnglandLong-term clarity is key in pre-election bus policy

Policy Advisor Tony Depledge acknowledges that SME leaders must often focus their efforts on day-to-day matters, but he adds that the period until expected polling day in November is where the industry should make its case to politicians for long-term certainty.

While franchising is prominent in Labour policy, Mr Depledge notes that many other matters affecting the sector’s long-term future require attention from ALBUM and its members.

Among them are creation of new municipal operators and rollout of accessible information compliance dates, and in England, the future of the £2 bus fare cap and BSOG reform. Key also is what happens in areas where franchising is not pursued – and Mr Depledge believes that in England, there may be more of those than Labour publicly expects.

Franchising take-up ‘may not reach Labour expectations’

Like the Confederation of Passenger Transport, ALBUM has no position on whether franchising is good or bad. Instead, it “will work under whatever regime is given.”

Because of that, core policy on reregulation is to ensure that politicians grasp the importance of SME operators. “We believe very strongly that there is, and should be, a role for [those businesses] under a franchised arrangement,” Mr Depledge continues.

ALBUM acknowledges that some SMEs view public control as an existential threat, with work in Greater Manchester having delivered minimal presence of those operators on the Bee Network.

ALBUM tells members to influence pre election bus policy discussion
It is incumbent on bus operators to feed into the pre-election debate around bus policy, says Tony Depledge

That aside, Mr Depledge suggests that while Labour favours franchising, the ultimate rate of take-up by local authorities (LAs) may not be what the party envisages. He points to recent comments by Labour and its belief that no additional government funding will be necessary to deliver a wholesale shift in the regulatory landscape in England.

“That is code [to LAs] for ‘you are on your own – don’t ask us for more money,” he continues. But engagement with elected representatives on the importance of SME bus operators sits hand-in-hand with winning over the most numerous party of all: Voters.

“When we talk about politicians not having the will to make the changes that we want, that it usually because we have not won the argument with the electorate,” says Mr Depledge, adding that SMEs are suitably embedded in their communities to make an impact there.

ALBUM counts all remaining municipal bus operators as members and sees nothing wrong in more being established. However, it believes that there must be suitable caution in councils’ approaches in that area, with the Association keen to share its knowledge with LAs where appropriate. Core is ensuring that they realise the scale of such an exercise, and that a fair playing field for SMEs is maintained where it progresses.

ALBUM opposes BSOG devolution in England

Although ALBUM is open to working under regulatory models where LAs have more control, it does not support those bodies in England being awards control of BSOG. Such a change was recently hinted at by Department for Transport Co-Director, Local Transport, Stephen Fidler.

ALBUM questions what benefit to passengers that change would bring. Mr Depledge believes the current arrangement represents efficient delivery of funding to the industry.

Key to opposition of BSOG devolution is the potential for differing approaches it could create. A national structure is favoured, but ALBUM accepts that the Urban Transport Group is likely to push hard for local control of the grant via the upcoming consultation on reform.

On the £2 bus fare cap in England, ALBUM wants an end as planned in December, although there is an acceptance of that being be politically awkward with an expected general election in November.

Regardless of that timing, a suitable exit strategy is core to ALBUM’s position. It wants funding currently put to the fare cap to remain in the industry, and thus advocates using it on a more targeted basis, including towards some lower-income groups.

Long-term clarity is key in pre-election bus policy

Overarching key to ALBUM’s policy asks is long-term clarity, Mr Depledge says. To that end, the industry must not allow LAs to wield the threat of franchising forever. “We cannot be in a position where it always comes up. We need certainty of the regime ahead. Otherwise, we cannot invest.”

There is understanding that a new operating model will come in some areas. But in ALBUM’s view, a settled policy and financial landscape underpins a secure future for the bus industry. Part of that must capture socially necessary services. The Association wants further work in that area – including an obligation on LAs to fund them.

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
ByTim Deakin
Tim is Editor of routeone and has worked in both the coach and bus and haulage industries.
Previous Article Easy wins in the quest to bring more women into the coach and bus industry Easy wins in the quest to bring more women into the industry
Next Article Mental health: Addressing the risk factors in coach and bus
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Temsa HD12 and HD13 delivered to Cresta Coaches under Asset Alliance rental deal
Temsa pair join Cresta Coaches on Asset Alliance rental agreement
Deliveries
Go-Ahead London – Managing Director
Careers Jobs
andy burnham tfgm £15.6 billion (1) The funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (4 June) has been allocated to several combined mayoral authorities to use on rail, tram, road and bus infrastructure. Transport for Greater Manchester revealed today that part of the £2.5 billion it will receive will go towards making the Bee Network fully battery-electric by 2030. An as-yet undecided portion of that will support a planned investment in 1,000 new zero-emission buses over that period, the mayoral authority said. That is part of plans to build the UK's "first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system", with trams and trains also set to benefit. Liverpool City Region's already announced BRT system is among the projects to which its £1.6 billion will be allocated. Under those plans - due for realisation by 2028 - a high-speed network will be served by articulated buses which are modelled on the 'Glider' in Belfast. It is due to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport, and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's respective stadia along three routes. Although the model of bus has not been confirmed, a Van Hool Exqui.City on loan from Belfast was last year used as a demonstrator. That 18m vehicle can accommodate around 30% more passengers than a typical bus and has three sets of double doors. The funding will also go towards buses elsewhere in the city as the region heads towards franchising services by 2027. Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram with a 'Glider' which was on loan from Belfast last year - an example of the sort of bus which could serve the new BRT Bus services in the East Midlands region will be boosted by the funding, thanks to the £2 billion handed to it today by the government. Some of that allocation will be used for a rapid transit network on the Trent Arc between Nottingham and Derby. Between the two cities, the Freeport, Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar will also benefit from the improved bus services. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's newly announced commitment towards bus franchising has been boosted by £350 million in funding as part of that region's allocation. The funding for West Yorkshire will help build new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield. Likewise, the Tees Valley Mayoral Authority will put its sum towards a new £15 million bus station in Middlesbrough. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off."
TfGM’s all-electric bus plan boosted by new £15.6 billion package
News
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Bus
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd