Leeds is seeking public input through a consultation process to revamp its bus services by implementing a bus franchising system under the management of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. This would allow for control over fares, routes, and service frequency, with public participation being crucial in informing decision-making and improving the local bus network.
What is the purpose of the public consultation for Leeds bus services?
The public consultation aims to gather feedback on the proposal to implement a bus franchising system in Leeds, transferring control from private operators to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), which would manage fares, routes, and service frequency. Public participation is critical to inform decision-making and improve the local bus network.
A Call to Action: Public Consultation
Leeds’ public transport system stands on the cusp of significant transformation. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has initiated a public consultation process to deliberate the potential implementation of a bus franchising system across the county. The new system proposes a transfer of control from private operators to the WYCA, which will then oversee fare prices, bus routes, and service frequency.
The consultation window remains open until January 7 of the following year. It welcomes the voices of individuals and organizations alike. The feedback from this consultation will be instrumental for Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire. She is anticipated to review the collective input as she navigates the decision-making process regarding the franchising proposal.
In a recent declaration, Leeds City Council has expressed its endorsement for this overhaul in bus services management. The support was formally acknowledged during an executive board meeting of the council. With the close of the consultation period fast approaching, the council is eager to involve as many local residents as possible in this critical discussion. “I am pleased that executive board has confirmed the council’s support for the introduction of a bus franchising system in Leeds and the rest of West Yorkshire,” Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, stated. He further implored, “I would also like to encourage people to take the opportunity offered by the consultation process to get involved and make their voices heard.”
The Strategic Importance of Bus Services
Leeds City Council is preparing a formal response to the WYCA highlighting its backing of the franchising model. The document will underscore the strategic value of bus services as a cornerstone for economic development and accessibility to employment and assorted opportunities. It is poised to delineate the essential role that an efficient bus network plays, particularly when considering the integration with any prospective mass transit systems.
The council’s response is also expected to delve into how revamping the local bus network can make strides in vital policy areas. These areas encompass health and wellbeing and responding to the climate emergency. “It’s imperative that bus services, not just here in Leeds but across the whole of West Yorkshire, are as accessible, reliable and affordable as they can be,” remarked Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure.
Councillor Hayden also highlighted the broader impact of public transport services, saying, “By providing connectivity and opportunities, they can help the city and all of its communities unlock their full economic potential.” She emphasized the critical need for public participation, given the proposed scheme’s ambition to reshape the local bus network to serve the community better.
How to Participate in the Consultation
Engaging in the consultation process is straightforward and accessible to all citizens. For those interested in delving deeper into the proposal and making their views known, further details are available on the WYCA website, which also houses relevant questionnaires.
For individuals requiring consultation materials in different formats, multiple channels for requests have been established:
- Email: bus.reform@westyorks-ca.gov.uk
- Phone: 0113 245 7676
- Mail: FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM WYCA
Moreover, the importance of public transport in Leeds cannot be overstated, as “30 percent of residents in Leeds do not have access to a car,” according to Councillor Hayden. This statistic accentuates the fundamental role that an effective and inclusive public transport system must play in the city’s prospective development.
The outcome of the public consultation, coupled with the Mayor’s decision on the franchising scheme, is expected to be announced in March of the following year. As the decision looms, the city of Leeds awaits the potential for a more connected and sustainable future, hinging on the inputs and consensus of its community members.
For further updates and details regarding the consultation process and the future of the Leeds bus network, stay tuned as the city progresses towards a decision that could reshape the public transport landscape for generations to come.
ENDS
- Leeds is seeking public input through a consultation process to implement a bus franchising system managed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
- The proposed system would give control over fares, routes, and service frequency, and public participation is crucial in informing decision-making.
- The public consultation is open until January 7 and welcomes the voices of individuals and organizations.
- Leeds City Council has expressed its endorsement for the overhaul in bus services management and is preparing a formal response in support of the franchising model.
- The outcome of the public consultation and the Mayor’s decision on the franchising scheme will be announced in March.