A bus franchising deal for the West of England has been backed in a key vote at Bristol City Council. The vote marks an important step closer in bringing the failing bus network back into public control.
Bus franchising would see the West of England combined authority (Weca) have direct control over routes, timetables, prices and which companies operate services. The model is how London runs buses, and how Greater Manchester will soon run their buses.
Public and political pressure is growing on Dan Norris, the West of England metro mayor, to explore how a bus franchising model could solve the wider Bristol region’s bus crisis. A majority of Bristol councillors have now backed calls urging him to consider bus franchising.
