Green Party co-leader renews calls to franchise Bristol's buses
Carla Denyer has been criticising Labour's response to sweeping cuts in Bristol - because of driver shortages
Last updated 9th Jun 2024
The co-leader of the Green Party is calling again for a franchising bus system in Bristol.
Back in 2019, Carla Denyer first set out her plans, claiming franchising was the best route for the city, and now says the recent cuts to services only strengthens that argument.
Now, Carla - who is also the Greens’ MP candidate for Bristol West and a Councillor in Clifton Down ward - is criticising Labour’s response to the cuts because of a current driver shortage in the city.
This is all in light of First Bus cancelling 1,450 buses a week.
Carla claims franchising would offer a way for the West of England Combined Authority to take public control of bus routes, frequencies and fares through a model similar to London and recently adopted in Manchester.
The Green Party co-leader said: “Bristol has four Labour MPs, a Labour-run council, a Labour City Mayor and a Labour regional mayor who have ultimate responsibility for our public transport, and so far Labour’s response to thousands of bus journeys being cut appears to be hand wringing and inaction.”
“The timing could hardly be worse; They knew the Clean Air Zone began this week and all of our representatives should have been planning for every eventuality. Instead, they’ve been passing the buck back and forth.
“Green Councillors in Bristol and Bath have been lobbying the West of England Mayor for years about cuts to bus services. We are clear that public buses should be under public control - run in the public interest, not for the benefit of shareholders.
"It seems Labour’s local MPs and Mayors all have different ideas about whose fault problems with bus services are and how to fix them. Is it too much to ask that politicians from the same party could work together to deliver a decent bus service for Bristol and the region?
“Placing buses under greater public control will end the blame game and buck-passing between Labour’s politicians and private companies by giving the Metro Mayor a clear responsibility to deliver and improve services.
“It’s too late for MPs to write letters to First Bus demanding answers now. It’s not as if bus driver shortages started last week. This has been a nationwide problem since Brexit and the Covid pandemic.”
Denyer’s criticism comes after First Bus announced a list of cuts to bus services which now won’t run until at least April 2023.
This includes cuts to the 1, 2, 3 and 8 bus routes, which all run through the heart of the Bristol West constituency.
In a statement, Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “Creating a thriving bus network that is high quality, affordable and reliable is a huge, huge priority for the West of England Combined Authority I lead. It is also essential if we are to reach our super-ambitious net-zero-by-2030 targets which I'm absolutely determined we do. I’ve always said franchising is - and remains - on the table as a future option, and remains under ongoing review.
"But it is important to note that franchising isn’t a silver bullet. Under a franchised model, we would still need to get to grips with the severe regional shortages of bus drivers, the number one challenge on the buses right now.
"Working with all bus operators, the Combined Authority is gripping these issues. I’ve launched a big bus driver recruitment campaign as I’m determined to get more and more bus drivers trained up to help fix the cancellations and delays for good, so locals get a bus service they can feel proud of”.
A spokesperson from First Bus said: "Like the rest of the bus industry, we face a number of major challenges including rising costs and reduced customer demand post pandemic.
"This means that some of our bus services are no longer sustainable without continued financial support and we work closely with the West of England Combined Authority to highlight these issues.
"We are focussing on growing patronage through creative campaigns and through fare reductions, introducing the lower £2 single fare and £3.50 return in Bristol. In addition, there is a national shortage of drivers and we are working harder than ever on recruitment and retention: increasing pay, introducing flexible working options and improving facilities, as well as investing in a major new recruitment campaign. We hope to be in a position to increase frequencies on certain routes in Bristol at the next timetable change in April 2023."