A growing number of areas want bus franchising but ALBUM Conference is told opportunity still exists to shape policy in many parts of the country
This month saw the West Midlands become the latest region of England to commit to franchising and newly-elected ‘metro mayors’ express their support for taking bus services back under public control. However, bus operators were told that the franchising tide will stop short of many parts of the country and a window of opportunity exists to influence policy.
Speaking at the ALBUM Conference in Nottingham this week, David Leeder, founder and managing partner of Transport Investment Limited, said: “There’s a general sense that there will be a lot more funding – and I think there won’t be … because the economic situation is rather difficult.
“I think for shrewd operators … what you should be doing is working with your local authorities to structure deals that are symmetrical and well thought through and economically viable now, rather than waiting for horrible things to happen.”
He added: “Proactive operators can do deals with local authorities.”
Bus services in the West Midlands are to be brought back under public control, with mayor Richard Parker approving plans to franchise the network from 2027. The newly-elected mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell, also wants to bring buses back under public control but the new West of England mayor, Helen Godwin, plans to work with local operators.
This article appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.
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