Good afternoon,
I wanted to write to you to share that today I have taken the decision to introduce bus franchising in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
This follows extensive consultation, detailed analysis, and my own careful consideration in what will be the most significant and exciting reform of our region’s bus network in forty years.
I believe that putting communities and passengers, current and future, first is the right call. The consultation told us of the importance of more reliable, affordable and convenient services. Franchising allows us to do this.
The Combined Authority will set fares, routes, timetables, and service standards, working in partnership with contracted operators to deliver a network that serves people, rather than being dictated by commercial interests alone. This reform will allow us to reinvest profits into improving services, create a more integrated transport network, and ensure communities are not cut off.
The choice to move forward with franchising follows a clear recommendation from the Combined Authority Board, our Transport and Infrastructure Committee, and strong public support. Our consultation, held from August to November last year, found that 63% of respondents backed this approach.
I fully recognise that this is a major undertaking, and it will not happen overnight. The transition to franchising will be carefully managed, with the first franchised services expected to begin operation in late 2027. The business case set out how franchising can work, and now our job is to begin the work of implementation.
We will continue to engage closely with local communities, businesses, transport stakeholders, and bus operators to ensure a smooth and effective rollout. Your input will be fundamental to making this a success.
In the meantime, the Combined Authority will continue to invest in improvements, including the Tiger on Demand rural services, extending the Tiger bus pass for under-25s, and maintaining affordable fares through the £2 cap scheme.
I want to assure you that this was a decision made with the long-term prosperity and sustainability of our region in mind. A well-connected, efficient, and accountable public transport system offered by franchising will be essential for economic growth, social mobility, and environmental sustainability.
I look forward to working with you as we embark on this journey to create a bus network that truly works for everyone in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Nik Johnson
Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
You can read the Mayoral Decision Notice via this link: https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=1040