West of England Enhanced Partnership launched
The West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council have launched an enhanced partnership to improve bus services across the region.
The West of England Enhanced Partnership centres around a legally binding agreement with bus operators in the region to provide better ticketing and passenger information, lower fares, investment in bus priority measures and new and improved services.
By creating an enhanced partnership, the region secures £105.5m from government to improve bus services across the area – the second highest funding award in the whole country – on top of the £540m already secured by West of England Combined Authority to improve bus travel in the region.
The Enhanced Partnership agreement will be updated regularly to reflect progress in delivering the improvement programme, securing additional commitments from bus operators.
This is a positive step on the road to give residents the local public transport services they need and deserve. I’ve already announced plans for more frequent and reliable buses using the cash my West of England Combined Authority secured from government. And as we train up more drivers, I want to go even further so we can get as many people as possible out of cars and into public transport – key to meeting our ambitious net-zero targets.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris
People up and down the country deserve a frequent, reliable, and affordable public transport system. That is why we have provided West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council with over £105 million to boost its bus services.
Roads Minister Richard Holden
Supporting the region to provide more frequent services is great for local residents, who will benefit and make the most of the fantastic work, business and leisure opportunities the West of England has to offer.
The Enhanced Partnership (EP) is a key part of the future improvement plans for bus services in North Somerset, and regionally. It’s a mutually binding document that sets out several service commitments that North Somerset Council, WECA and bus operators will sign up to.
Steve Hogg, Executive Member for Transport and Highways at North Somerset Council
The EP aims to deliver positive outcomes for residents and the wider economy, and I’m delighted this has now been agreed by North Somerset with our regional colleagues.
The Enhanced Partnership agreement will be updated regularly to reflect progress in delivering the improvement programme, securing additional commitments from bus operators.
