Leeds bus service shake-up criticised

Paul Matthews, managing director of First Bus West Yorkshire – the county’s biggest bus company – raised concerns over proposals for a London-style franchising system at a scrutiny board inquiry into bus service provision.

Mr Matthews said: “I still have not heard a convincing argument as to what franchising will do to improve the punctuality of bus services.”

Former Leeds City Council leader Coun Keith Wakefield, the chairman of West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, is among senior figures who have backed proposed franchising laws, which they say would give our region a London style service with Oyster-type all-in-one’ ticketing, cheaper and simpler fares, and a reversal of declining passenger numbers. Under bus franchising, which would be enshrined in the Government’s new Buses Bill, the deregulated bus market would be suspended and bus operators would only be able to provide services under contract to the local transport authority.

Mr Matthews asked: “Will it deliver what customers want most, better reliability for customers?”

He said cost was also a concern, adding: “To deliver the London level of service cost £480m last year. We don’t believe that level of funding across the country, here in West Yorkshire, is going to be available.”

He added: “The commercial risk currently borne by operators would be passed on to the authorities in question, whether or not the authorities are prepared for the level of commercial risk they would be taking on.” Mr Matthews said the lack of passenger growth would also be a problem.