Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) has announced the launch date for its formal bus franchising consultation.

From Wednesday 14th August, everyone is being invited to have their say on the potential pathways for improving bus services for local communities.

The franchising consultation will take place online and in person (via a series of drop-in events) over 14 weeks and will run until Wednesday 20th November 2024. It will inform a decision by the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, on how to reform buses across the area.

Members of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) Board met on 24th July where they discussed a report about bus reform. Following the discussion, they approved the Bus Reform Assessment (also known as the Business Case) and agreed to hold a formal franchising consultation which will enable residents, businesses, stakeholders and statutory consultees to share their views.

Chief Executive of the Combined Authority, Rob Bridge, said: “Your views matter. Whether you rely on the bus now for education, employment or leisure, or you think the bus might benefit you in the future, we really want to hear your thoughts. Now is the time for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to review how its buses are operated, to improve services for all.”

The consultation will compare a franchising solution with an Enhanced Partnership approach. Under a franchised network, the Combined Authority would contract bus operators to run services on its behalf but have control over the routes, frequency, fares and overall standards of the region’s buses. An alternative Enhanced Partnership solution, while producing benefits over the current bus service, provides less control over the routes, frequency and overall delivery of the services.

The Combined Authority will use various ways to share information about the consultation and to engage with people during the 14 weeks. This will include letters, briefings, newsletters, face-to-face events, focus groups, research (online surveys), media, social media, and posters and leaflets at bus stations.

Details of the consultation website, where people can get all the relevant information, will be made available when the consultation starts.

Paper copies or large print versions of the consultation documents will be available, and people will also be able to request a copy in the following languages: Polish, Lithuanian, Portuguese and Urdu.