The Association of Local Bus Company Managers (ALBUM) is concerned about the impact of proposed franchising in South Yorkshire on small and medium-sized bus operators.
As currently designed, franchise models favour large, often multinational operators who can navigate complex tendering processes with significant financial backing. This risks sidelining local, independent bus companies that have long provided vital, community-focused services. In Manchester, introducing franchising has already led to the loss of nearly all SME operators – with only one remaining. We fear a similar fate for South Yorkshire’s local operators, who may be excluded from the network for years.
ALBUM strongly believes franchising alone will not address the bus network’s most pressing challenge: road congestion. Passenger growth and network sustainability will remain elusive without a commitment to prioritising buses on our roads – through bus lanes, traffic signal priority, and other supportive infrastructure.
Branding all buses in the same livery does not improve service quality if those buses are still stuck in traffic. What truly matters to passengers is a fast, reliable, frequent, and affordable service.
ALBUM calls on the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to:
- Adopt an inclusive franchising approach that enables SMEs to compete and thrive.
- Invest in bus-priority measures that tackle congestion head-on.
- Recognise the unique strengths of local operators who are embedded in their communities and committed to delivering high-quality, responsive services.
South Yorkshire can build a stronger, more sustainable transport system that works for everyone by supporting a diverse and competitive bus market.