Council backs bus franchising

Councillors have backed calls for the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to consider bus franchising in the Bristol area.

Franchising would give WECA direct control over prices, rates, and timetables; at present, the operators themselves decide these.

On Tuesday 13th December, the majority of Bristol councillors urged Mayor of the West of England, Dan Norris, to explore bus franchising.

Public pressure is growing after FirstBus cancelled 1,450 city bus services a week amid driver shortages.