First Bus, the leading bus operator in the UK, today welcomed the stronger arrangements to allow local government to work in partnership with operators to improve local bus services, detailed in today’s announcement of the Bus Services Bill.
This Bill sets out a range of options for improving local bus services, including a stronger role for partnerships with operators.
The Bill also allows areas which have devolution deals with Government to introduce franchising.
First Bus points to a number of its local partnerships as proof that this approach is the best way forward.
In Bristol for example, in response to that City's support for buses, First Bus has invested in new environmentally friendly vehicles, delivering higher frequencies, new service links, and a strong night-time network. New ticketing systems, simplified fares and for many, cheaper fares have also been delivered. This has encouraged passenger growth in excess of 25%, contributing massively to the city economy and environment.
In Sheffield, which was the country’s first Better Bus Area, partners have now implemented a second round of improvements that have seen a revised network designed to meet the city’s needs and provide a platform for growth.
In Cornwall, despite having negotiated a devolution deal with the Government which includes powers for bus franchising, the council is now clear that it is working to develop its partnership with bus operators, rather than take up those powers.
Giles Fearnley, Managing Director of First Bus, said:
"We passionately share the aim of national Government and local councils to improve services for all passengers using buses to help solve the UK’s chronic congestion issues, improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions.
Our experience in many places including Bristol, Cornwall, Sheffield and Leeds clearly demonstrates that working in strong partnership with local government is the best, quickest and cheapest way to improve services, and attract more people to bus travel.
We are delighted the strengthening of partnerships is an option for local authorities, and look forward to working with MPs and peers to ensure that we have legislation that delivers benefits for customers.”
FirstGroup is delivering many highly successful bus partnerships with local authorities across the country. Some examples include:
- Bus Partnerships in South Yorkshire: Voluntary Bus Partnership agreements are in place in Sheffield, Rotherham & Doncaster bringing together South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, the area’s local authorities and bus operators including First South Yorkshire. Revised networks are providing better timetables and eliminating “over-bussing”, alongside infrastructure investments to improve reliability and punctuality. Smart, lower-priced and multi-operator tickets are making travel simpler, and new, more environmentally friendly vehicles are being introduced in many areas.
- Cornwall Bus Partnership – As part of the region’s devolution deal, Cornwall Council has committed to developing and delivering a Bus and Integrated Transport Strategy with local partners including First Kernow. The partnership is working towards the ambition of creating a high quality, sustainable and affordable bus system, through investment in vehicles, infrastructure, information, and integrated ticketing and timetables.
NOTES TO EDITORS
FirstGroup plc is the leading transport operator in the UK and North America and our services help to create strong, vibrant and sustainable local economies. During the last year around 2.4 billion people relied on us to get to work, to education, to visit family and friends and much more and, each day, every one of our 110,000 employees works hard to deliver vitally important services for our passengers.
Our vision is to provide solutions for an increasingly congested world… keeping people moving and communities prospering.
First Bus
FirstGroup is one of Britain’s largest bus operators with around a fifth of bus services outside London. A fleet of some 6,300 buses carries approximately 1.7 million passengers a day in a huge number of communities including 40 of the UK's largest towns and cities. We operate some US-style yellow school buses and have a fleet of coaches available for charter. We also operate the Aircoach network in Ireland.