Anna Mounteney - Questions to WECA Committee + Responses (31.01.25)
Question:
Given the significant delays and the Best Value Notice issued to WECA in March 2024, when can we expect the forthcoming report on bus franchising to be published? Will it be released before you leave office, and if so, what steps will you take to ensure it addresses the urgent need for improvements in our bus services before stepping down as the West of England’s Metro Mayor?
Metro Mayor’s response:
A full franchising scheme assessment is a substantial technical piece of work, requiring MCAs to carry out an enhanced five case business model going beyond what would be required for a typical capital scheme. Significant funding in producing the scheme assessment will be required and we are aware that there are several pieces of forthcoming legislation that are likely to impact bus franchising, and that the statutory assessment process is likely to change in the very near future, probably to simplify it. We are considering these changes and we have already committed to a full update to be brought to the June 2025 committee meeting.
Question:
In light of the recent announcement that bus fares in the West of England will rise to £2.40 in January, I would like to raise a concern regarding the effectiveness of the current Enhanced Partnership agreements. While these agreements have been positioned as a solution to control fares, the reality is that they do not provide sufficient protection for passengers, as evidenced by the upcoming price hike.
In contrast, cities like Manchester and London, where bus services are franchised, have been able to maintain more stable fares and ensure better accountability. The system of franchising has provided greater control over service quality and fare prices, protecting passengers from sudden increases driven by private operators.
Given this, I would like to ask the committee: Do you agree that this hike in fares demonstrates that Enhanced Partnerships, while a step in the right direction, are insufficient on their own to guarantee fair and predictable fares in the long term? And, with the success of franchising in other cities, do you agree that franchising in the West of England is the only system that ensures greater control over fare pricing and service standards for residents?
Metro Mayor’s response:
The recent fares agreement through the EP board resulted in some of the cheapest fares in the country and a good deal for people living in more remote areas. The fact that we were able to agree a cap with the operators does actually show what can be achieved through good relationships and an effective EP panel. Of course, however, all options, including franchising and public ownership will be kept under review and a full update on progress for franchising is coming to the June committee meeting. Meanwhile, we continue with our bus improvements. Today’s budget commits to protect services, the birthday bus scheme is going from strength to strength with over 131 000 journeys in January alone, the highest month since the scheme started with lots of new bus travellers – funded west local services in operation across the region and revised trials of WESTlink.
