Pressure is mounting on the West of England metro mayor to consider a new bus franchising deal amid growing problems with local bus services. A bus franchising deal would see greater public control over bus services in the region, similar to in London.
Next week Bristol City Council will vote on a motion urging Dan Norris, the mayor of the West of England, to commission a study on adopting a system of franchising buses. This could see the West of England decide bus routes, timetables and fares — following Greater Manchester’s plans to introduce bus franchising and potentially leading to more reliable services.
First Bus is the major bus operator in Bristol, and last month made a shock announcement cancelling many services across the city due to a gaping lack of drivers to fill 200 vacancies in the region. Under franchising, the West of England combined authority would have much greater control, setting contracts for services which private operators would have to bid for.
