Buses in the West of England: A Simple Guide to How It All Works
Have you ever found yourself waiting for a bus, wondering who decides when and where it goes, or why the service isn’t running as frequently as it should? Buses are a huge part of how we get around in the West of England, but the system behind them can be pretty confusing. In this blog, we’ll break down how bus services are run, who makes the decisions, and why it all matters to you!
Who Runs the Buses?
Most of the buses you see on the streets are operated by private companies, such as First Bus and Stagecoach. These companies decide things like the bus routes, how often buses run, and the ticket prices. But there’s more to it than just private companies making decisions.
Local councils and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) also play a big role. They help plan and fund bus services, especially in areas where buses aren’t making enough money but are still important for the community. These are often the routes that link smaller towns to big cities like Bath or Bristol.
What’s the West of England Combined Authority (WECA)?
In 2017, the region’s councils – Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) – came together to form WECA. This body allows these areas to work more closely on issues like transport, housing, and jobs. It’s designed to make the region more efficient and coordinated.
The leader of WECA is the Metro Mayor, currently Dan Norris. He works alongside the leaders of the three local councils to help improve bus services and other regional policies.
The Role of Local Councils
The West of England has four main councils, known as unitary authorities: Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset. Each of these councils has its own leader, but they work together within WECA to make important decisions about transport.
Bristol: After the 2024 local elections, the Green Party became the largest party in the council. Tony Dyer, a Green councillor, was appointed as leader of the council, and leadership positions are shared between the Greens and Liberal Democrats, operating through a committee system. This means decisions about transport and other key issues are made by a group of councillors, rather than by one elected mayor.
Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES): The leader here is Cllr Kevin Guy.
South Gloucestershire: Led by Cllr Toby Savage, this council is more suburban, so public transport is vital for connecting smaller towns to larger cities like Bristol.
North Somerset: North Somerset was part of WECA until 2023, when they decided to leave and operate independently. However, they still collaborate with the other councils when it comes to regional transport planning.
How is the Money for Bus Services Raised?
Funding for bus services comes from a few different sources, including:
Ticket fares – What passengers pay to ride the bus.
Government funding – The national government gives money to local councils to support bus routes that might not be profitable but are needed for local communities.
Local taxes – Councils can use some of the local taxes they collect to help pay for bus services.
One example of government support is the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which gives funding to areas like the West of England to help make bus services better. This funding can go towards improving bus routes, lowering fares, or making the buses more reliable.
What is the ‘Best Value’ Notice?
In March 2024, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) issued a Best Value Notice. This notice is part of an ongoing effort to ensure that the region are providing good value for money and meeting the needs of local communities.
As part of this process, WECA is exploring two options for the future of bus services:
Franchising: If implemented, franchising would mean that councils would have more control over bus routes, timetables, and fares. Private companies would still operate the services, but they would need to follow the rules set by the local councils.
Enhanced Partnerships: The West of England currently operates under the Enhanced Partnership model, where bus companies and local authorities work together to improve services. This means the councils can set some rules, but private companies continue to run the buses and have a degree of control.
Why Does All This Matter?
You might be wondering why all this matters to you. Well, decisions made by the councils and WECA directly affect the buses you take every day. Things like how often buses run, how much tickets cost, and whether buses are reliable depend on these decisions.
For example, if councils decide to invest more money in bus services, you might see more buses running at better times, or your ticket prices could go down. Additionally, if more people use buses instead of cars, it could help reduce traffic and pollution in the area.
Plus, improving bus services is a big part of tackling climate change. By making buses more reliable and affordable, the goal is to get more people out of their cars and onto public transport, which is better for the environment.
