Bus franchising ‘preferred option’ – as West Leeds bus service increases frequency

By David Spereall, local democracy reporter

Additional reporting: John Baron

PROPOSALS to bring West Yorkshire’s buses under greater public control will take a major step forward today – and two towns will see £4m worth of improvements to existing services.

A review looking at the best ways to improve local bus services has concluded that franchising would be the preferred option.

Bus franchising would mean West Yorkshire Combined Authority would have control over fares and routes – with services operated by bus companies under contract.

It would mean service frequency, cost and routes would no longer be determined by bus company profits.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin believes franchising would be the best way to improve uneven local bus services, saying she is “sick to death” of waiting for buses that never come.

However, the process will prove a lengthy one, with the first franchised services unlikely to roll out until around 2027.

Today West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin will announce a £4.23m boost in funding to existing services to improve bus patronage in the here and now.

Among services to be enhanced from September are several routes in Keighley, and routes linking Shipley and North Bradford through West Leeds to the city centre.

Speaking ahead of a meeting where the recommendations of the assessment will be discussed, Ms Brabin said:“It is really important people know that I’m a commuter too, and I’m sick to death of waiting at bus stops from buses that don’t come.

“I feel the frustration of the public – the majority of public transport users use buses.”

She said the recommendation that the franchising option should be pursued was a “seismic moment” for public transport in West Yorkshire, and any improvements to bus services would hopefully get more people out of private cars.

The Authority says the current deregulated system has seen a decline in usership over the years.

The assessment that suggested franchising was preferable to the current system – where the taxpayer subsidises routes run by commercial companies, will next go out to audit and public consultation.

The decision whether to move ahead with the process is likely to be made in March.

Members of the Combined Authority will discuss the assessment at a meeting in Leeds today (Thursday).

Aireline number 60 boost

There will also be improvements and more frequent services on the number 60 Aireline route between Leeds and Keighley, which includes stops at Shipley and Greengates and runs through Calverley, Rodley, Bramley, Kirkstall and Burley. Details are still being finalised, but it would likely see services run every 20 minutes rather than the current half-hourly service.

Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee Cllr Peter Carlill (Lab, Calverley and Farsley) has welcomed the additional funding.

“This is great news for residents in Calverley and Rodley in my ward, as well as all along the route,” said Cllr Carlill

“Increased frequencies on the Aireline route are desperately needed to make journeys by bus more attractive, and to ease overcrowding at peak times.

“As previously noted, I am also discussing options with the Mayor and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to use some of the extra frequencies on this route to replace some of the connectivity lost from Farsley due to the rerouting of the 508 service – I would hope to be able to confirm more on this as discussions with operators continue.”

“Alongside the reduced fares, this helps towards our aim of more reliable, cheaper and sustainable bus services across the region.”

Bramley & Stanningley councillor Tom Hinchcliffe added: “More frequent number 60 services are vital to local residents who want to travel to Kirkstall and the city centre, and will go some way to preventing the overcrowding we have seen since the 508 service was cut in March.

“We are continuing to have discussions with bus companies to return more bus services to our community – services which are reliable, affordable and operate in the interests of people, not profit.”

These improvements are being funded through the Bus Service Improvement Programme, a £70m pot of cash awarded to the Combined Authority to work with bus companies to improve services.

It has already led to the introduction of “Mayor’s Fares” – a £2 cap on bus fares for a single trip, a scheme which is expected to be extended until next year.

Ms Brabin said the capped fares have helped increase bus patronage, which was suffering post-lockdown.

She added: “It is encouraging people to take more bus trips, and in the cost of living crisis it is helping them choose the bus over a car.”

Speaking about the public frustration over current bus services, she said: “people we have spoken to are very unhappy about the lack of connectivity, and about ghost buses – buses that the signs say are coming that then disappear.

“it is important for the public to know we feel their pain, and we are doing everything in our power to get them a better bus network.

“Bus companies are cutting routes and franchising would give us that greater control. We’re already paying bus companies to keep socially necessary routes – that is coming from the taxpayer.”