Bus privatisation attacked as transport chief hints at changes for First and Arriva bus networks

Bus services in West Yorkshire need to change, according to an influential transport chief.

The leader of Leeds City Council launched an extraordinary attack on public transport privatisation, calling the running of buses and trains by private companies “disastrous”.

The comments came during a discussion on public transport at a meeting of Leeds City Council’s decision-making executive committee.

References were made about a letter sent by the head of a regional transport committee, expressing concern over the future of the city’s two largest bus operators, claiming the contracts for both were up for sale.

Responding to the concerns, council leader Judith Blake said: “I am not sure any of us will be really comfortable until we get to the point where we can re-regulate out the bus services in our city.

“I think it has been proved on buses and rail that the work done on privatisation and deregulation has been nothing short of disastrous for the travelling public, and we will do everything we can within the limited powers we have at the moment to make sure we prioritise and keep the pressure on various bus companies.

“For those working for devolution, a priority is to get greater local control over our public transport systems.”

The comments followed a letter sent to regional MPs by the chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) transport committee Coun Kim Groves (Lab). It said bus services were “entering an uncertain period”, adding First Group PLC was looking to sell its bus operations, while there were “indications” that German state-owned transport company Deutche Bahn was looking to sell its Arriva operations in the UK.

Coun Groves’ letter states: “You will be aware of the recent announcement by First Group PLC of its intention to sell its ownership of its UK bus companies.

“This, together with indications from Deutsche Bahn that it is seeking to sell its Arriva operations in the UK suggests we are entering an uncertain period for the operation of the City Region’s most-used mode of public transport.”

The letter added that WYCA had a 20-year plan to deliver sustainable bus services in the region, stating: “We have worked closely with bus operators to deliver the first stages of our Bus Strategy and are entering into a formal alliance with them.

“We will continue to work with the management of the current bus companies to deliver our shared objectives but I expect the recent announcements will bring both opportunities and threats.”