Issue - meetings

          The Board received a report from the Assistant Director for Bus (Liverpool City Region Combined Authority) which provided an overview of bus franchising in the Liverpool City Region (LCR).

Following a major public consultation in summer 2023, the LCR Mayor made the decision to build a London-style integrated public transport network and bring bus services into public control in order to improve connectivity; facilitate social mobility; and provide a lifeline to the most vulnerable. 

The Board also received a presentation which outlined the proposed objectives, the timeline for implementation, the change to roles and responsibilities and the scope and priorities of the franchise.

Overall, members of the Board were in favour of the proposals and following discussions, further information was provided in answer to some of the questions raised: 

·       The budget had been set for the transition work and further costs would be set out in the consultation;

·       Non-electric buses would be phased out in line with net zero targets;

·       The LCR will own their own depots; these would look very different in the future due to technology required to work with net zero targets; and

·       Employees would be transferred to new depot via TUPE.

Resolved:  That Members of the Board note the contents of the report and presentation.