The lack of progress on exploring how to bring buses in Bristol back under public control has been criticised as “disappointing”. Councillors said they were expecting to see much more detail about the potential options for reforming the bus network in the West of England region.
Last September, the West of England Combined Authority committee voted to press ahead with exploring how to reform the buses. Since then, West of England staff have discussed what an initial feasibility study should include.
They warned this study, which hasn’t yet begun, is still just a preliminary step that needs to be taken before they launch a formal assessment into bus franchising. Details of the slow progress were included in a report to the overview and scrutiny committee on Monday, January 27.
Green Councillor Toby Wells said: “I’m a bit disappointed with what we’ve got. We were led to believe that there had been significant recent work, specifically around the current options available, i.e. franchising, the background and the challenges that would bring.
“But what we’ve got in this paper is everything that has happened since the last committee [in September], which is good and I’m happy to see the wheels are now turning; and then some historic initiatives on the theme of buses, but not really the kind of work we were expecting to be shown.
“So either there wasn’t much work done, and someone was stretching the truth a bit at this committee, or there is work and it hasn’t been shared. I’m not sure which one it is.”
The report shows that West of England staff have been working on a “draft scope for a feasibility study” into how to improve the buses. This is due to be “finalised shortly”, and could include either franchising or public ownership. A full feasibility report is expected later this summer including options — after the current mayor, Dan Norris, will have stepped down from his role.
Other combined authorities are already pressing ahead with franchising, in a model that sees much more democratic oversight of routes, fares and standards, but where private companies continue to deliver services. An upcoming change in the law is expected to lift a ban on setting up new publicly owned bus companies, although this would likely be expensive to create one.
Ben Mosley, assistant chief executive, said: “When I joined the combined authority 12 months ago, the issue had been stuck in the mud politically. One of the things I had to do when I first joined was write a report for leaders reflecting the various angles on franchising in particular. There’s a whole spectrum of views on this.
“That report helped broker the next steps, which the committee took last year. Progress hasn’t been as quick as we would have liked, but we are making up for lost time now.”
The combined authority is now hiring for two senior officers, which would help carry out the reforms more quickly, one for buses specifically and another for transport more generally. And in May, a new mayor will be elected to run the West of England, who could have different priorities.
Stephen Peacock, chief executive of the combined authority, added: “We’re in a reasonably good position. I’m disappointed that we’re behind other places, but it means we can learn from them.”