£1m fund set up to reform bus services in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CaPCA) is to re-commence the Bus Reform Project started in May 2019.

It’s aim, in line with the Local Transport Plan, is to look at different ways in which bus services can be drawn together in a post-Covid 19, well-functioning, integrated transport network.

The project is led by Metro Mayor, James Palmer, who chairs the Bus Reform Task Force, supported by a team bringing together officers from member councils under CaPCA leadership headed by Oliver Howarth, Bus Strategy Manager.

At the CaPCA Board online meeting (September 30), Roland Potter, Head of Transport, said: “The purpose of the Bus Reform report before the Board today is to identify ways of delivering improved bus services within the CaPCA area.

“I’m sure I need not remind members that the Covid-19 crisis has had a very significant impact on the bus market, and on  September 9, 2020 the Transport and Infrastructure Committee approved proposals to amend the bus reform task force programme milestones to reflect the pace of recovery of the bus market.

“Approval is now sought from this Board for the release of the remaining £1.2m budget provision set out in the Medium-Term Financial Plan, to be used to fund short-term innovation trails to inform subsequent reform proposals.

“These proposals were discussed by the Transport and Infrastructure Committee where they were endorsed unanimously by those present.”

Metro Mayor Palmer responded: “We set out all our plans and reform through the last task group with the intention of doing one thing, and clearly Covid-19 has put an end to that.

“We are now in a very different situation; but we are in conversation with government to make sure that we’re in a strong position to invest in our bus service and that work is ongoing.

“I want to say how much I appreciate the significant amount of work being done by your members and the officers of the CaPCA, in liaison of course with officers of the county council.

“Of course, we will continue to do whatever we can to improve the bus service given the errant state that it is currently in.”

Members voted unanimously to approve the re-commencement of the Bus Reform Task Force with its new objectives and release the funding of £1.2m.