Bus Reform Market Engagement

Description

Following her election in May 2021, Mayor Tracy Brabin pledged to ‘bring buses back under public control, introduce simpler fares contactless ticketing and greener buses’. Therefore, in line with exploring different models for delivery (including franchising and enhanced partnership) in June 2021, the Combined Authority issued a Notice of Intent to conduct an assessment of a franchising scheme. The Combined Authority currently works in collaboration with existing commercial bus operators in West Yorkshire, via the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance, to oversee the delivery of improvements to the region’s bus network. As of April 2022 the Alliance has functioned as an Enhanced Partnership. The Combined Authority would like to engage with organisations from both inside and outside of our region and further afield to discuss the potential of bus reform and the opportunity of redefining the West Yorkshire bus market for the first time in a generation. Lot 1: We would like to discuss this opportunity with bus operators who operate within West Yorkshire and outside of West Yorkshire currently. We would also like to speak to organisations who are potentially considering entering the market. In particular we would like to discuss and gain the view of potential suppliers/operators on an Enhanced Partnership plus model, taking our existing EP to the next stage or a franchising model. This is all in the context of what would ultimately work best for the residents of West Yorkshire. Additional information: Please contact the Commercial Team at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority via our email address: CommercialTeam@westyorks-ca.gov.uk and a member of the team will be in touch regarding a potential discussion.