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
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects 2 or more wards;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 16/02/2022
Decision due: 17 Mar 2022 by West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Lead director: Director, Transport Operations & Passenger Experience
Contact: Dave Pearson Email: dave.pearson@westyorks-ca.gov.uk.