A landmark decision in Greater Manchester will be providing hope for the future of the Liverpool City Region's bus services.
Last week a judge ruled in favour of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham's plans to bring his region's buses back under public control. This followed a judicial review that was brought by bus operators Stagecoach and Rotala, who claimed the process taken by Mr Burnham to move towards a new franchising model was 'irrational' and 'unlawful.'
But the judge ruled against the operators, meaning Mr Burnham and his fellow combined authority leaders are now free to push forward with their plans to bring buses back under public control. And already the potential advantages of that move are being outlined.
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It is hoped that re-regulating local bus networks will mean local leaders will be able to control fares, routes and services to work best for local passengers. Today Mr Burnham outlined plans for a new cap on bus fares that could bode well for the Liverpool City Region and its own franchising ambitions.
The Greater Manchester plans, revealed today by our sister title, the Manchester Evening News, would cap fares for a single adult journey at just £2, while children will pay no more than £1. It is hoped the move will also make a fragmented ticketing system far simpler.
The news from Greater Manchester is hugely important to the Liverpool City Region, which has begun its own journey towards re-regulating its buses. One week ago, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority officially rubber stamped its decision to pursue the franchising model and bring its network of buses back under public control.
The move will represent the biggest change to the public transport network in the city since the 1980s. The franchise system would still involve services being run by private operators, but would allow city region leaders to set fares, timetables and routes.
The move is a vital part of Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham’s plan to introduce a “London-style” transport network. The City Region leader says his key ambition is to fix the city region's 'broken and fragmented' public transport system. He said the plan is a 'once in a lifetime opportunity to reverse the disastrous decision to deregulate services outside of the capital.'
The city region leaders will now be waiting to see if the local bus operators register a similar legal challenge to the one raised in Greater Manchester. While each case will be different, local leaders will be undoubtedly encouraged by the judge's decision down the M62. It is hoped that before too long, Mayor Rotheram will be able to make similar announcements about fare caps to his good friend Andy Burnham.
Mayor Rotheram said: “Good public transport is the hallmark of any modern, successful city region and buses are its backbone. Hundreds of thousands of people rely on our region’s buses every single day. They are a lifeline for connecting people in our communities with each other and opportunity.
“But too many feel left behind by a system that simply does not work for them. In too many places, public transport is too confusing, too unreliable, and too expensive. Liverpool City Centre can sometimes feel as far away as London.
“We have taken a massive step towards putting that right. Thanks to devolution we have the power to roll back the 1980s and reverse four decades of disastrous deregulation. We’re taking back control of our bus network and running it in the interests of local people – not private shareholders."
