Stagecoach calls for greater partnership to deliver improvements to South Yorkshire’s bus network

Stagecoach has called for greater partnership working between bus operators and local authorities in order to drive forward improvements to South Yorkshire’s bus network.

It is in response to Mayor Dan Jarvis’ review into the bus network across South Yorkshire to identify and recommend improvements that will benefit bus users.

Stagecoach has set out its vision for a joint approach to improve bus services in the region.  It calls on operators, central government and local authorities to deliver on their shared responsibility to deliver investment in improvements to make bus travel easier and attract more customers to bus.

The proposals would see a further build on what has already been achieved by the Sheffield Bus Partnership to deliver more improvements for bus passengers across the region.

Since its introduction in 2012, the Sheffield Bus Partnership, which includes Stagecoach Yorkshire, has delivered millions of pounds of improvements with £40m joint operator investment in 194 new buses, £18m investment in bus infrastructure improving journey times, integrated smartcard ticketing, contactless payments and online payment and the cheapest multi-operator bus prices in the country.  This has resulted in an increase of a million customer journeys and customer satisfaction rising to 87%.

In its full response to the bus review, Stagecoach has proposed a range of improvements by operators and local authorities working together to improve the region’s bus services including:

• Greener bus fleets: bus operator investment in new buses including ultra-low or zero emission vehicles
• Bus network review: re-assessment of the current network to deliver the Mayor's ambition for improved access to employment, key economic centres and Doncaster Sheffield Airport
• Faster bus journeys: achieved through a combination of junction hotspot and bus priority improvements, increased traffic enforcement, conversion of services to express format and a focus on contactless and other off-bus payment options to speed up boarding
• Better journey experience: on-bus improvements, including next stop announcements, Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, and e-leather seats
• Improved bus stop facilities: better bus stop/shelter waiting environment, and improved infrastructure, cleanliness and information
• Simplified fares and price capping: clearer single fares and price capping for day and weekly tickets, on-board contactless and Apple/Android payment technology and online purchase options
• Independent voice for bus passengers: greater representation for bus passengers with independent watchdog Transport Focus and local councillor representatives to join the Bus Partnership
• Improved services for isolated communities: working together to deliver innovative solutions
• Stable local authority funding: secure funding platform for buses
• Reduced travel costs: for job seekers, apprentices, students and 16-18 and 18-22 groups.

Matt Davies, Managing Director for Stagecoach Yorkshire, said: “We have delivered significant improvements to South Yorkshire’s bus network and invested millions of pounds to make travel easier and better value for customers.

“Bus operators, central government and local authorities all have a shared responsibility to deliver high quality bus services. There is now a real and urgent need to focus on practical measures that will improve journeys to stop the decline in bus journeys that we have seen as a result of societal changes and the rise in car usage.

“That’s why we’re calling for a partnership approach to enable us to tackle the major issues such as congestion.  This will help to deliver faster and more reliable journeys as well as a range of other benefits including cleaner buses, simplified ticketing and better information in order to attract more people to bus.

“We have a great immediate opportunity here to use the experience of our successful bus partnership approach in South Yorkshire by working together to address the practical issues that matter.”

Bus franchising is currently being suggested by some as a model to follow elsewhere in the UK. This suggestion – where taxpayers take the financial risk of the bus network and services are procured through a system of contracts – is currently in operation in London.  In London, the network is currently £700m a year in deficit, has passenger numbers falling faster than the rest of England and has lower satisfaction rates than many areas around the UK.

Matt Davies continued: “We believe the approach we have proposed is the quickest and most cost effective way of delivering real improvements for passengers.

“Independent research shows that a bus franchising system in Greater Manchester would see close to an extra £70 a year having to be paid by each household in the region through taxes just to replicate the current bus network.  That’s ultimately a bill to be paid by bus users, car users, cyclists and those who walk. And that is on top of around £20m spent on consultants investigating bus franchising.

“Our proposals instead see a joint approach by operators, central and local government delivering on our shared responsibilities to create a better solution to maximise the potential of the bus as a solution to the economic, social and environmental challenges facing our country.”

ENDS