LCR Bus Franchising

[Barney]

RE: LCR Bus Franchising

(24/02/2022 22:49)SK15 GZG Wrote:  It's been reported by the Liverpool Echo that Steve Rotheram intends to move forward with his proposal to introduce franchising to the Liverpool City Region's bus network. If the proposal is approved by the combined authority then a public consultation will take place once a business case has been completed

I have to say I'm not a fan of this idea at all. The amount of money it will cost to implement and then maintain simply isn't worth it in my opinion

As someone who remembers a time before deregulation and privatisation, I have to disagree with you. Prior to 1986, bus services were infinitely more accessible (extensive and frequent) and affordable to the general population. Also, if the franchise model is good enough for London, why isn't it good enough for the LCR?

Yes, this will come at a cost to the taxpayer but so does everything else in a civilised society. UK bus operations are virtually unique in the western world in that they are expected to finance themselves which, in a time when the planet is trying to decarbonise makes no sense at all.

The recent squandering of billions during the pandemic shows that money can be found if the political will is there.