Transport bosses are preparing a pioneering scheme to claw back control of bus services in West Yorkshire.
Metro, the county’s passenger transport authority, is expected on Friday to press ahead with a proposal for a “quality contract” scheme that will give it responsibility for routes and fares – issues that have been in the hands of private bus operators since services were deregulated in the 1980s.
Hailed as the first of its kind in the country, supporters say the quality contract system would mean simpler fares and fewer timetable changes.
It comes as Leeds eagerly awaits other key decisions that will shape the future of transport in the city.
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The council is hoping to hear soon that its proposed Leeds “city deal” – that includes giving councillors powers to raise cash for transport projects – has got government approval.
A government decision on the proposed £250m trolleybus system for Leeds is also understood to be close at hand.
Over the past 12 months Metro has discussed the idea of quality contracts with bus operators, who suggested a halfway house-style alternative – a partnership that would keep companies such as First and Arriva Yorkshire in the decision-making loop.
But Metro is expected to press ahead with the contract system. It will inform the Department for Transport which will establish an independent panel of transport experts to assess the proposal.
Coun James Lewis, Metro chairman, said: “If they are happy it can go ahead.”
Dissatisfaction with current bus services is one of the main drivers for a change to the system.
Coun Lewis said that every public meeting he attended complaints about timetables, routes, customer service and above-inflation fare rises were among people’s concerns.
He said: “It is clear people are very dissatisfied and they are showing this by using the buses less. Over the past 10-15 years bus usage has declined while rail travel has increased.
“Operators publish timetables but there are no penalties for not running to them.
“Under the new arrangements they would be contracted to Metro and there would be certain requirements such as integrated ticketing and a new approach to customer service. Routes and fares would be set by Metro.”
He argued that the proposed changes would also make it easier to introduce a West Yorkshire version of London’s Oyster card scheme, which allows people to load money onto a personal ticket card before travelling. At a recent public meeting hosted by Leeds West Labour MP Rachel Reeves, people from Rodley complained of “severely limited levels of service.”
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