The national bus strategy, Bus Back Better,
was published by the Government on Monday 15 March. It sets out a
key role for the bus, outlines the future of bus funding and the
commitments needed from Local Transport Authorities and bus
operators. The strategy can be accessed here: Bus back better -
GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
The strategy seeks to strengthen the role of Local Transport
Authorities (LTAs) through devolution of funding. £3bn for
bus was first announced by the Government in February 2020 and
confirmed in the National Bus Strategy. Government has set very
specific requirements and timescales for accessing this funding as
follows:
By the end of June 2021, we expect all LTAs, except MCAs which have
started the statutory process of franchising bus services, to
commit to establishing Enhanced Partnerships across their entire
areas under the Bus Services Act, and all operators to co-operate
with the LTA throughout the process……. From 1 July
2021, only LTAs and operators who meet these requirements will
continue to receive the COVID-19 Bus Services Support Grant (CBSSG)
or any new sources of bus funding from the Government’s
£3bn budget.
The Strategy requires the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to
develop an Enhanced Partnership with the bus operators in West
Yorkshire, in accordance with the provisions in the Bus Services
Act of 2017.
The Combined Authority is required to take a decision to approve
that a notice of intent to develop an Enhanced Partnership is
issued to all bus operators in West Yorkshire.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure/Savings > £1 million;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 25/05/2021
Decision due: 24 Jun 2021 by West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Lead director: Director, Transport Operations & Passenger Experience
Contact: Dave Pearson Email: dave.pearson@westyorks-ca.gov.uk.