The West of England Combined Authority (which includes Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath & North East Somerset) has the opportunity to use it's devolved powers to formally begin looking into bus franchising (i.e public control) in the West of England at their next committee meeting on October 6th 2023.

Over 2000 residents have signed a petition calling for the public control of buses, backed by a broad coalition of community groups including the South West Unite Branch that represents bus drivers.

Our buses are in crisis. Thousands of services have been cancelled while over 40 entire routes are about to be cut. Currently, local authorities have limited control over commercial bus services. This means bus companies do what they like, dictating prices, routes, and timetable.

Public control is good for the climate, employment rights, and ensuring there is a well functioning bus service. One that is designed in the interest of the public and not solely in the interest of profit. Bus franchising also allows for a more integrated transport system and cross subsidies, which in the long-run makes it a financially efficient and sustainable system for our buses.

We are asking Dan Norris to begin the formal process of investigating a business case for franchising in the West of England. Until Dan Norris unlocks his devolved power to access data that allows for a formal business case to take place, he is not in the position to say that bus franchising would not work in the West of England.

Will you write to Dan today asking him to formally bring bus franchising to a vote at the next West of England Combined Authority Committee on October 6th, and finally begin the process of investigating bus franchising in the West of England?