Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Mayor Nik Johnson has outlined plans to move forward with the introduction of bus franchising in the region.
The Mayor said: “This follows extensive consultation, detailed analysis, and my own careful consideration in what will be the most significant and exciting reform of our region’s bus network in 40 years. I believe that putting communities and passengers, current and future, first is the right call. The consultation told us of the importance of more reliable, affordable and convenient services. Franchising allows us to do this.
“The Combined Authority will set fares, routes, timetables, and service standards, working in partnership with contracted operators to deliver a network that serves people, rather than being dictated by commercial interests alone. This reform will allow us to reinvest profits into improving services, create a more integrated transport network, and ensure communities are not cut off. “The choice to move forward with franchising follows a clear recommendation from the Combined Authority Board, our Transport & Infrastructure Committee, and strong public support. Our consultation, held from August to November last year, found that 63% of respondents backed this approach.
“I fully recognise that this is a major undertaking, and it will not happen overnight. The transition to franchising will be carefully managed, with the first franchised services expected to begin operation in late 2027. The business case set out how franchising can work, and now our job is to begin the work of implementation.
“We will continue to engage closely with local communities, businesses, transport stakeholders, and bus operators to ensure a smooth and effective rollout. Your input will be fundamental to making this a success. In the meantime, the Combined Authority will continue to invest in improvements, including the Tiger on Demand rural services, extending the Tiger bus pass for under-25s, and maintaining affordable fares through the £2 cap scheme.
“I want to assure you that this was a decision made with the long-term prosperity and sustainability of our region in mind. A well-connected, efficient, and accountable public transport system offered by franchising will be essential for economic growth, social mobility, and environmental sustainability. I look forward to working with you as we embark on this journey to create a bus network that truly works for everyone in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”
Responding to the announcement, 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.”
