Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, has announced he will franchise his region’s bus system.

Although Stagecoach east, one of the area’s largest operators, supports Enhanced Partnerships as a means to improve the region’s buses, the company says it is to continue the conversation on what works best for its customers locally.

The decision followed a recommendation to the Mayor from the Combined Authority Board on Thursday (6 February) to choose franchising as the best way to reform buses. A statement from the local authority said: “The alternative option, an Enhanced Partnership, would have allowed closer collaboration with operators but left key decisions on the bus network, like service levels, in private hands.”

The decision follows a major public consultation, held from August to November last year, which saw 63% of more than 1,600 respondents back franchising.

The first franchised services are expected to launch in late 2027.

The Combined Authority will begin formal preparations for implementation. This will include engagement with local communities, businesses and other transport stakeholders to keep them updated on progress, and working with bus operators to ensure a smooth transition to franchising.

A sustainable funding model will also be developed, with a mix of potential sources including revenue from bus fares, the Transport Levy made up of contributions from Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, the Mayoral Precept, and Government funding and grants.

Still fundamental problems, even with franchising

Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East, said: “We are pleased that the decision on the future of franchising in our region has now been made.

“There are different models of bus franchising in place throughout the UK. We look forward to continuing the conversation on what works best for our customers locally, bringing our considerable experience and extensive knowledge of running services in franchised regions like London and Greater Manchester.

“At Stagecoach East, we have 40 years’ experience running buses in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and excited to continue serving our passengers in the best way that we can.

“However, even with franchising changes, there are still fundamental challenges that will face the region when providing a sustainable and reliable bus network. Congestion, parking enforcement, rural services and having those sustainable funding streams will remain obstacles in our busy and diverse region. We hope that the discussions on franchising will not get in the way of tackling these issues.”

Mayor Dr Nik Johnson said: “This is one of the most significant moments for local public transport in decades.

“For too long, private control of buses has meant ever-dwindling, unreliable services which don’t meet passenger need, are less-and-less affordable and often require millions in public subsidy just to keep key routes going. It is high time for change

“Bus franchising puts communities first. It gives us the power to design a network that works for the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, with better routes, more frequent services, and a focus on connectivity, not just what’s profitable for operators.

“This won’t happen overnight – franchising is a long-term project, and we have 40 years of poorly-regulated dysfunction to undo. But this decision is a major step towards a properly joined-up, high-quality public transport system that delivers faster, more reliable, and convenient journeys.”

In the period up to full transition, the Combined Authority will continue its work to improve bus services, including the Tiger on Demand rural services, the Tiger bus pass offering £1 journeys for under 25s and maintaining the £2 cap on fares through to the end of June 2025, with a small rise to £2.50 to the end of December 2025.