Combined authority members ratify plans by mayor Steve Rotheram to launch a consultation over the summer into plans to franchise region’s buses

 
It is proposed the first franchised bus services could commence in September 2026

 
Members of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority last week approved a formal public consultation launch after May’s local elections that will probe plans to franchise the region’s bus services.

It follows last year’s vote by mayor Steve Rotheram and the combined authority to confirm franchising as the region’s preferred future model for bus service delivery.

Approval for the consultation followed the completion of an independent audit and assessment by consultant KPMG of the planned franchising model. Now, residents, businesses and trades unions will be asked to provide their feedback on the plans.

For far too long, people in our communities have been forced to contend with a second-class bus service that’s too confusing, too unreliable, and too expensive. I want this to become a thing of the past

“For far too long, people in our communities have been forced to contend with a second-class bus service that’s too confusing, too unreliable, and too expensive,” said Rotheram ahead of last week’s vote. “I want this to become a thing of the past – because we simply can no longer afford to accept a public transport service that leaves behind the very people who need it most.”

In a report to members, Richard McGuckin, the combined authority’s executive director for place, provided more detail on Rotheram’s plans.

He revealed that if the mayor decides to press ahead later this year, the first franchised services would start in September 2026. McGuckin also confirmed there would be multiple contracts of varying sizes, including large depot-based contracts.

It is proposed that the whole of the region’s bus network would become part of the scheme at the same time. However, in a similar manner to Greater Manchester’s approach to franchising, contracts would be rolled out across multiple rounds.

Although an in-depth analysis of the planned scheme remains restricted to combined authority members for now, McGuckin did confirm the contracting process would start with St Helens and then move on to Wirral, North Liverpool and Knowsley, South Liverpool, South Knowsley and Halton, and finally Sefton.

The rationale for this approach would be to allow sufficient time for the franchise contracts to be procured and mobilisation to take place, as well time for the local bus industry to adapt smoothly to a new model of operation

“The rationale for this approach would be to allow sufficient time for the franchise contracts to be procured and mobilisation to take place, as well time for the local bus industry to adapt smoothly to a new model of operation,” said McGuckin, adding the combined authority proposes at least nine months for the mobilisation period of each contract.

Although it would seem Greater Manchester has struggled to attract sufficient viable bids from smaller operators in its first round of franchising, McGuckin said the combined authority envisages a mix of contract sizes in order to give operators of all sizes the opportunity to bid for work.

He continued: “This would allow local small and medium operators the opportunity to continue to provide a similar level of service that they do in the current network, as well as opening the opportunity for expanding their services by bidding for multiple contracts.”

McGuckin also confirmed that on completion of mobilisation of these contracts, all bus services in the region would be operated as part of the franchised network. However, it seems there would still be opportunities for third party operators to continue services using a London-style service permit if exempted from the scheme entirely.

It is anticipated the combined authority will take the final decision on whether to implement a franchising scheme or pursue a partnership option later this year. If franchising is chosen, then the scheme would be ‘made’ at that point.

 
This story appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.

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