One size doesn't necessarily fit all - effective partnership to meet local bus needs

The introduction into Parliament of the Bus Services Bill offers the NECA area an opportunity to secure real improvements to the bus network, including greater ability to agree routes, timetables, and fares. However, care needs to be taken as the Bill progresses to ensure that key challenges are safely overcome. In particular, an approach allowing for separate schemes covering the Tyne & Wear conurbation and the Durham and Northumberland areas would have more merit than a one size fits all approach.

It is in the interests of NECA, Nexus, the bus operators, and passengers to ensure there is effective partnership between operators and councils to ensure services meet local needs. Many of the desired improvements, including real time information, and smart ticketing can be secured through better collaboration between NECA and operators. Progress on these issues is being held back by the limitations of Nexus's technical systems.

Whilst the idea of London-style franchising is attractive, the London model is based on far greater funding and ridership. There is a considerable financial risk to council taxpayers if the region adopts an ambitious model which requires significant public subsidy. We have already seen Nexus lose more than £2.6 million on pursuing a Quality Contracts Scheme which was ultimately deemed to be non-viable.

Franchising is achievable, but needs to be subject to the same kind of testing, evaluation, and audit as the QCS process. I believe it would be beneficial for the Bill to be strengthened by inclusion of this safeguard, together with a requirement that franchising schemes are referred to the Competition and Markets Authority.

I urge Nexus and NECA to develop their proposals in a spirit of co-operation with operators rather than confrontation. The temptation to make a bold political statement should be tempered by recognition of the need to manage financial risk and the need to avoid another expensive failure.

This is a letter from Cllr Greg Stone (Lib Dem) - Opposition spokesman on transport, Newcastle City Council - to local newspapers