Three campaigning groups are collaborating to call for bus services to be taken over by the Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority using the franchising powers given to elected mayors by the government.
We own it and Reclaim our Buses West of England and Climate Emergency Centre have got together to pressure the Mayor to use those powers to bring benefits to bus passengers across their region. They provide arguments in favour of this proposal at Why is franchising better for passengers. They have also set up a webinar and online discussion scheduled for Wednesday 4 September and are encouraging interested parties to login and participate.
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is a combined authority within the area consisting of the local authorities of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset.
Although this proposal is not immediately relevant for bus users in Cornwall, it could show the way forward if Cornwall Council were minded to use similar powers in the future to bring bus services in Cornwall under public control.
Anyone can join the webinar on Wednesday 4 September starting at 7 p.m. The link to the Zoom meeting is here. If that link does not work, go to Zoom and connect via: MEETING ID 898 4968 2415 PASSCODE 808472