Transport authority to consider quality contract scheme for bus services

West Yorkshire’s Integrated Transport Authority (ITA), Metro, is expected this week to approve the introduction of a Bus Quality Contract Scheme for the area’s bus services, the first of its kind outside London.

The scheme would make Metro responsible for setting routes, fares, timetables and quality standards.

A report before the ITA’s meeting this Friday argues that this framework is “the best way to provide significant customer benefits including integrated ticketing, higher service standards, a more stable network and pricing structure and better local accountability for service standards”.

Metro said a partnership offer by the Association of Bus Operators of West Yorkshire was "a strong one" but did not offer a common integrated ticketing system.

The ITA also claimed that the Association’s offer failed to address concerns about value for money raised by a Competition Commission investigation and did not provide sufficient certainty about delivery.

Metro Chairman Cllr James Lewis said: “If approved, this new framework will be an opportunity for us to develop the strong partnerships we already have with local bus operators, based upon aligned incentives and with risks and rewards shared between partners."

Cllr Lewis pointed out that there had been a steady drop in passenger numbers over the past 10 to 15 years.

The current de-regulated framework had led to fragmentation and a lack of long-term planning, the Metro Chairman said. Some operators meanwhile received inadequate rewards, while others made excessive profits.

Cllr Lewis added that the move towards a Quality Contract framework had received cross-party backing, with members aware that there were potential risks in developing the scheme.

He said: “I can understand why the bus operators could perceive the change as a threat. But with declining patronage numbers and passengers saying that they have nowhere to voice any dissatisfaction they may have with services, they cannot want to continue with the current framework which is failing everyone.”

The scheme would be subject to public consultation.