(16 Jul 2025, 7:04 pm)Andreos1 wrote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jw266l0l9o
Man who pays out millions to private bus companies refuses to re-regulate services, because it will give private companies millions.
Ben is sticking by his manifesto promise of not to increase local taxes or implement a 'Mayor style' tax to pay for such a project. I think that isn't an unreasonable position.
All of the Labour Metro mayors are jumping on franchising, as its hugely emotive and wins votes, but they either aren't being honest about how it works or they are not clever enough to understand the actual costs. I suspect the latter.
A review of the financial position of the Bee Network in Manchester suggests it is currently costing around £100m more per year to operate the exact same network. So guess where that is going? Bus operators are laughing all the way to the bank. DfT grants are currently bailing Manchester out. We all know the government bails London out and always has, but it's the capital city, so it has to look good, so to speak. Multiply that position across the country in 4-6 years time and the DfT/Gov wont be able to help everyone. Franchising will then either be cut back to providing a worse network than now or will need to be funded locally. Neither will be acceptable.