Take West Yorkshire's Buses Back Under Public Control

West Yorkshire's bus services are up for sale. Local Council leaders are currently discussing what to do about it. And they'll be making a decision soon. But franchising (taking buses under public control) is not currently an option they're considering!

OUR buses aren't good enough.

Right now, bus companies do what they like and it's a wild west free market. We need public control.

Private companies control West Yorkshire’s bus network. They dictate prices, routes and timetables. The result has been catastrophic - passenger numbers have plummeted, prices have risen and services have shrunk.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) - which is made up of your local Council leaders - has the power to regulate our buses. Regulation would mean affordable fares, and more evening and weekend services, all with a smart ticket where daily spending is capped.

Local council leaders are yet to commit. Sign this petition now to take back control of our buses!

+++++

https://www.tuc.org.uk/campaigns/better-buses-west-yorkshire

The privatisation of buses has been a total failure. Outside London, passenger numbers have fallen by half and average prices have risen 35% above inflation since the 1980s. It’s a shambles for passengers, but a money spinner for bus companies who have made £billions for their shareholders.

FirstBus, Arriva West Yorkshire have recently announced they want to sell their bus services.

But without franchising, which gives local government the power to set prices, routes and bus frequency, this Wild West market stays open for another big company to come in and make further cuts to your local bus service.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Under the 2017 Bus Services Act, West Yorkshire's council leaders have the power to take buses back into public control through franchising - but so far they've failed to act.

We know franchising is more effective. It's how it is run in London where the market is regulated by Transport for London (TfL) - buses are more regular, prices are capped, and essential routes are protected. We want West Yorkshire's council leaders to establish something like TfL for West Yorkshire.

Why Franchising?

Franchising gives us -

- control over the bus network, which would mean companies would be forced to put on certain, less profitable routes and more regular services.

- control over fares, so we are the ones that set the prices.

- control over ticketing, which could mean one single, affordable ticket for the whole of West Yorkshire, like it is in London.

Send West Yorkshire's leaders a message, we deserve better!

(Image credit: Michael Taylor)