Part of Cheshire set for bus franchising pilot

Part of Cheshire is to be involved in a bus franchising pilot to see if the scheme could work in a more rural area.

Cheshire West and Chester was announced as an area which would be involved in the trial, receiving a share of £750m in government cash to improve bus services.

Bus franchising allows areas to take over routes, timetables and fares, and is currently being rolled out in Greater Manchester, with more areas looking at following suit.

The deputy leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said it was a "fantastic opportunity" to test the idea in a "semi-rural borough".

The government's recent Spending Review documents confirmed the move.

Other bus announcements included an extension of the £3 fare cap.

Deputy leader Karen Shore said the authority was one of a small number of councils which had been meeting with the government over franchising in recent months.

She said it was "right" that the area understood the different options for franchising and bus operation models, including the option to continue under the existing system.

Cheshire is an area which does not currently have devolution powers and an elected mayor, but it is currently in talks with the government over a potential devolution agreement.

More details on the bus pilot are expected in the future.

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