Decision details

The National Bus Strategy, Bus Back Better, was published by the Government on 15 March 2021. It set out a key role for the bus, outlined the future of bus funding and the commitments needed from Local Transport Authorities and bus operators. The strategy can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bus-back-better

The strategy seeks to strengthen the role of Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) through devolution of funding, currently identified as £1.1bn.

The Strategy required the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to develop an Enhanced Partnership with bus operators in West Yorkshire, in accordance with the provisions in the Bus Services Act of 2017, to access this funding pot and continue to receive the Covid-19 Bus Services Support Grant.

The Enhanced Partnership Plan and its associated Schemes will work towards delivering on the ambitions of the West Yorkshire Bus Service Improvement Plan and, to that end, set out what will be required of and delivered by members of the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance.

The first Scheme to be introduced is focused on Bus Infrastructure and it is intended that as new bus priority infrastructure schemes are completed they will be added to this Scheme through a variation.
Subsequent Schemes will also be established, covering:
• Fares and Ticketing
• Customer Services and Information
• Bus Core Network
• Bus Connecting Network
• Air Quality and Decarbonisation
• Communications and Marketing
• Urban Traffic Management Control

The Combined Authority is required to take a decision to approve the content of the finalised EP Plan and Scheme and also approve the publication of the Notice of Intent to ‘make’ the Enhanced Partnership Plan and Initial Scheme