April Action: Write to your MP
How to send our briefing document to your MP, step by step.
Step 1:
Find your MP and their contact details - you can look them up here, all you need is your postcode.
Step 2:
Open your email account and start a new email addressed to your MP. Copy and paste our example cover letter and personalise it. Don’t forget to put your MP’s name and your name on it, and include your address so they know you are in their constituency. And make sure you do step 3 before pressing send!
Step 3:
Download the briefing document, and attach it to the draft email to your MP. It is packed full of information about why franchising buses is a good idea - have a read through to learn more.
Step 4:
Press send!!
Optional extra
Ask for a meeting with your MP to discuss bus franchising with them in person or on the phone/on zoom. We recommend you bring a copy of the briefing document with you to refer to.
Please send us any responses you receive from your MP, and tell us about any meetings you have with them! Email: reclaimourbuses.woe@gmail.com
How to get involved
Sign the petition
Join a campaign meeting: every 2nd Wednesday of the month, 5pm-6pm on Zoom
Volunteer to help collect signatures for the petition; make props for events; attend WECA meetings; lobby local councillors and more - email us to get involved reclaimourbuses.woe@gmail.com
Find out more
The Problem
Our buses are in crisis. Thousands of services have been cancelled while entire routes have been cut.
Local authorities have limited control over commercial bus services. This means bus companies do what they like, dictating prices, routes, and timetable.
The Solution:
It doesn’t have to be like this. Franchising our buses gives power back to the public and unlocks new ways to add routes, boost reliability, and improve affordability (read more about how here). Basically? It puts people over profit.
Dan Norris, the West of England Combined Authority mayor and council leaders from Bristol, South Gloucestershire and B&NES have the power to bring your buses into public control. Every other Labour Mayor is using their power to reclaim their buses. It’s time Dan did too!
What You Can Do
Sign & Share the petition: https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/take-west-of-england-buses-into-public-control
Write to Dan Norris asking him to take buses back under public control: mayor@westofengland-ca.gov.uk
Join the campaign group! Our meetings are every 2nd Wednesday of the month, 5pm-6pm on zoom.
Lobby your local MP and Councillors using the briefing templates below
Get in touch on: reclaimourbuses.woe@gmail.com
We are collaborating with We Own It to campaign for buses in the West of England to be franchised
Latest from our socials
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Reclaim Our Buses West of England
Campaign Updates
Campaign Highlights
Light up the night demonstration at South Gloucestershire Council meeting
Volunteers share news articles and information on our campaign WhatsApp group
Petition launch event on college green - with our big cardboard bus
Dedicated Ashton Vale residents who want their bus services back - at our petition launch
Petition launch on college green - support from the Trades Union Council
Getting the word out to sign our petition - at Forward festival on the Downs