A Ministerial visit was used to highlight the close ties between operator and State, which have helped to increase passenger numbers on the island’s buses
It is reported that people living in Jersey are benefitting from more frequent, more comfortable and more reliable services, with the island hailed as a leading example of how local control can revolutionise bus travel. On 24 April, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood visited Jersey to see first hand how operator LibertyBus and the local Government have worked together to deliver a bus network which they say puts passengers’ interests first.
Since taking over operations in 2013, LibertyBus, now a subsidiary of the Kelsian Group and previously in the hands of CT Plus, says it has introduced five new routes and improved passenger satisfaction by tailoring services to local needs, and approach which is credited with helping to shift 47% of peak-time car users onto buses.
The Government’s Bus Services Bill is currently passing through Parliament, and the Minister used the visit to highlight the new powers which it will make available to local authorities across England, allowing them to adopt franchising models like Jersey’s, or to choose to deliver stronger enhanced partnerships with operators. The Government believes that while Manchester’s Bee Network sets the pace for city regions, Jersey provides a blueprint for rural and smaller authorities seeking to boost passenger numbers and deliver high-quality, community-focused services, supporting local jobs and delivering growth through its Plan for Change.
Minister Lightwood said: “Here in beautiful Jersey, I’ve seen first hand how well a franchised bus system can work when it puts passengers first. LibertyBus shows what’s possible when local leaders are empowered to take control – boosting ridership and delivering more frequent, reliable services.
“That’s exactly what we aim to achieve across England through our upcoming Bus Services Bill, which will expand access to opportunities and help put more money in the pockets of hardworking people, in line with our Plan for Change.”
Director of LibertyBus Kevin Hart said: “We’ve partnered with the Jersey Government for over 12 years, delivering a successful model where we take on the revenue risk while providing a core bus network. This allows us to focus on growing ridership and reinvesting profits into expanding services, including socially necessary routes, and we’ve managed to grow annual passenger journeys from 3.2 million to 5.3 million since 2013.
“With the Government providing infrastructure and us delivering the expertise, the profit-sharing model ensures success is reinvested into the system. We’re proud this approach is being recognised in the Bus Service Bill and enjoyed showing the Minister how it works.”
