Rhetoric Won’t Fix the Bus Crisis, Mr. Metro Mayor!: Dan Norris's Response to Reclaim Our Buses Open Letter

Reclaim Our Buses, a campaign group dedicated to improving bus services across the West of England, has received a response from Metro Mayor Dan Norris following the open letter sent in May 2024. This letter, submitted in the lead-up to the general election, called for a formal investigation into bus franchising as a means to create a more reliable and publicly accountable bus network.

In his response, dated 9th August 2024, Mayor Norris acknowledged the significant shortcomings of the current bus system, concurring that it does not adequately serve the residents of the West of England. The Mayor highlighted recent initiatives under his leadership, including the implementation of a £2 cap on adult single tickets and the Birthday Bus scheme. Both initiatives aim to encourage greater bus usage and ensure the long-term viability of the network.

The response further indicated that the administration is actively considering bus reform, with a public report anticipated during the September WECA Committee meeting. While the Mayor noted that franchising is not a panacea and does not equate to full public ownership, he expressed an interest in establishing a Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) for the region—a critical element in the success of franchising models in other areas.

Reclaim Our Buses recognises that franchising is not a “silver-bullet” solution, but it is considered an essential step towards a more efficient and accountable public transport system. The establishment of a PTE, as referenced by Mayor Norris, would represent a significant advancement in improving bus services within the West of England.

Close attention will be paid to the September WECA Committee meeting, where the Mayor is expected to present the full public report. The meeting is scheduled for Friday, 20th September at 1pm, with the location to be confirmed. Public attendance is encouraged as efforts continue to advocate for a better, more reliable bus service across the region.

The goal remains to ensure that buses serve the public as they should.

West of England Sustainable Transport and Active Travel Coordinator and Reclaim Our Buses Lead, Emilia Melville, adds:

“It is increasingly clear that public transport is one of the most significant barriers to economic prosperity in the West of England, with young people unable to adequately access education and skills training, and people in transport desert areas unable to reliably get to work or access healthcare. While careful progress is important, there is also an urgency which is not yet reflected in public action.”

Public Transport campaigner, Anna Mounteney, commented:

"Mayor Dan Norris's response acknowledges the need for change, but it’s crucial to move beyond preliminary measures. The introduction of a Passenger Transport Executive is a positive step, yet it must be swiftly followed by robust action on franchising. The public deserves more than promises; successful leadership requires immediate, tangible improvements to our bus services."

Reclaim Our Buses Open Letter to Dan Norris, including signatures:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yF4iueOq_cd02hlOxoisLGrpUybaBqFmXXbsypkpADc/edit?usp=sharing 

Response From Dan Norris, and Reclaim Our Buses Response: 

https://westact.org/updates/open-letter-response-from-the-mayor 

WECA Calendar, including information on next WECA Committee Meeting: https://westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx