Deregulation

By the 1980’s bus services in England were in decline, with rising costs, increasing subsidies and so in order to address this problem the government of the time decided to deregulate bus services. This meant that private bus operators were allowed to set up bus routes, timetables, services and fares. This process was not a disaster, but the ever-increasing popularity of the private car weakened the need for buses. What we have now is a patchwork of bus operators who prioritised the most profitable routes at the cost of reducing services on less attractive routes such as those in rural areas. Bus companies do not have to make all their bus routes profitable and to their credit they do run some routes at a loss paid for by more profitable routes. Currently most bus routes in the Eastbourne and South Wealden area are operated by Stagecoach but East Sussex County Council (ESCC) subsidise some non-commercial bus routes mainly in rural areas, additionally ESCC also operate the free bus pass scheme for older people.

Bus Back Better

Buses are the most important form of public transport in England accounting for 53% of public transport journeys. But the number of bus users and bus miles is falling. In 2023 bus passenger numbers fell to 3.4 billion from 4.6 billion in 2009. In March 2021 the Department for Transport announced their plans to improve bus services in England via ‘Bus Back Better’. This resulted in roll out of Bus Service Improvement Plans including Enhanced Partnerships (EP) and franchising options, but very few bus franchising schemes have been introduced.

What is an Enhanced Partnership (EP)?

An EP is a model through which the local transport authority and bus operators jointly agree a plan to improve bus services. The plan is a voluntary arrangement and attracts funding from government. East Sussex County Council currently operate an EP with declared aims such as: • Improving fares and ticketing • Improving bus infrastructure • Introducing bus priority measures • Reduce harmful emissions • Improve digital accessibility • Improve public transport information

What is Franchising?

Franchising is a model of providing bus services where Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) such as county councils take control of how buses are run, this could be on a specific route or a particular area and ask bus operators to bid to operate these routes. The LTA would specify the route, frequency of service, timetable and fares. The current government is keen to further improve bus services and so is encouraging LTA’s to introduce franchising schemes. Franchising is not a new idea and is the model currently used in London, the Channel Islands and in many regions and cities in Europe. Greater Manchester has, this month, just finalised the third tranche of their franchise network and Liverpool are well underway in their planning.

Why we need good bus services?

• There are many people in society that do not have the luxury of having their own car or motorcycle and to them good bus services are vital. • There are those that are unable to drive or are too young to drive, they too need good bus services. • Buses connect our communities and allow access for many to health, leisure and education services. • Good bus services can also get people out of their cars and so free up road space which will assist in making buses more reliable. • Using buses will help us reach our carbon reduction targets. • Less traffic on our roads will lead to less pollution. • If bus services become more profitable through greater passenger numbers, then funding can be invested in electric buses. Cambridge and Peterborough consultation document

Some thoughts:

• Analysis seems to show that franchising brings more benefits. • Enhanced partnerships will mean less financial risk to transport authorities. • In a shrinking economy can we afford to place a greater financial burden on local authorities? • The main opposition to bus services is the private car, which is just too convenient, this will not change without a huge shift in public values which is not going to happen soon, if at all. • Do local transport authorities have the expertise to operate bus ticket strategies, bus fare policy, network design, bus timetables etc? • The setting up of a franchise scheme would have very large set up costs. • Perhaps a compromise position could be reached whereby some areas have a franchise scheme while neighbouring areas have an Enhanced Partnership? • Most franchising schemes that are currently in place or are being planned are in locations with high population densities such as Manchester and Liverpool. East Sussex is very much a rural area and hence will be more costly to operate a bus service.

Unitary Authorities

In January 2025 East Sussex County Council applied with West Sussex County Council and Brighton City Council to become a Mayoral Strategic Authority. It is reported that this could unlock significant power and resources to these areas. Transport could be one area to benefit if more funding becomes available as the authority could potentially introduce franchising schemes.

Conclusion 

At the end of the day either the Franchise or the current Enhanced Partnership model will improve bus services in the area. David Everson Eastbourne ECO Action Network Jan 2025