Combined Authority Partners with Bus Centre of Excellence to Tackle Bus Service Challenges in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is partnering with the Bus Centre of Excellence (BCOE) to host a webinar on Monday, 24 February, focused on the future of bus services in the region.
Funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and run by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), the Bus Centre of Excellence provides essential resources, guidance, and support to those working in the bus sector.
The Combined Authority, led by Mayor Dr Nik Johnson, has an ambitious Road to Better Buses strategy to make bus services across the region more reliable, affordable, and accessible and recently received £10.17 million funding from Government to go further, faster with delivery.
Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said:
“We are fully committed to delivering a bus network that truly meets the needs of our communities.
“We’ve already made significant strides, with initiatives like the Tiger Pass, offering £1 fares for under-25s, and the launch of Tiger on Demand, providing more flexible, community-focused transport options.
“Now is the time for bold action. We must drive forward meaningful, long-term reform to create a bus system that is reliable, sustainable, and fit for the future.”
Stelios Rodoulis, Head of the Bus Centre of Excellence, said:
“The Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE) is dedicated to providing bus professionals with the resources and expertise they need to deliver better bus services. This event is a excellent example of how greater collaboration can drive meaningful improvements for passengers, ensuring that decision-makers and bus professionals have the tools they need to shape the future of bus services”.
Now is an exciting time for bus services, with significant investment and policy changes designed to improve networks across the country.
In November last year, Government announced a £955 million funding boost for local authorities across the country to introduce new routes, increase frequency, and protect vital bus services.
In addition, the Government has committed to revising guidance on bus franchising, making it easier for local authorities to step in and improve bus routes where needed. Plans for a new Bus Bill have also been announced, aimed at streamlining the process of introducing bus franchising, helping local authorities deliver better, more reliable services faster.
The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority is already leading the way with a Bus Service Improvement Plan—developed for the Department for Transport—to enhance bus services across the region. Backed by a multi-million funding investment, this plan will support initiatives to improve routes, reliability, and accessibility for passengers.
This webinar follows a key recommendation from the Combined Authority’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee, which has unanimously advised Mayor Dr Nik Johnson that bus franchising is the best way to reform the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough bus network.
The recommendation is based on findings from a public consultation held from August to November 2024, which gathered over 1,600 responses from residents, businesses, and local organisations. The consultation revealed that:
- 63% of respondents supported bus franchising
- 12% opposed it
The consultation highlighted both the vital role of buses in connecting communities and the risk of further service decline without urgent reforms. The Mayor is expected to make a final decision on franchising for the region this month.
This webinar will provide an opportunity to discuss the challenges facing local bus services, the franchising recommendation, and what the future could look like for bus users across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, 24 February
Location: Online Webinar
Speakers:
Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority
Judith Barker, Executive Director of Place and Connectivity
Ed Colman, Head of Communications, Engagement and Public Affairs
This event is free and open to residents, transport professionals, local businesses, and anyone interested in the future of public transport in the region.
Register now for FREE: The road to better buses in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Tickets, Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite
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