Bus fleet protests over 'unfair' franchise process

An independent bus operator has used its entire fleet of vehicles in a protest over the region's bus franchising process, which it says favours larger companies.

All 20 SquarePeg buses travelled in convoy to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) headquarters in Wellington Street, Leeds, at 10:00 BST on Thursday.

The company runs several routes that connect Leeds with Horsforth, Seacroft, Pudsey, Rodley, Farsley, Gomersal, and the White Rose Centre.

WYCA is working to set up the Weaver Network – the new publicly controlled transport network that will be rolled out across the region from next year - but said it had been clear that smaller operators "play an important role".

A spokesperson said: "The procurement process for the initial bus franchising contracts is ongoing and no contract award decisions have yet been made.

"We will share detailed feedback with bidders at contract award stage and will continue to engage with operators to shape the procurement process for upcoming contract rounds and invite them to submit their feedback."

SquarePeg said the process of bidding for the franchises was unfair and would put them out of business.

The company said its demonstration was intended to highlight what it believed was a system that increasingly favoured large national operators over successful local businesses, ultimately reducing competition and choice for passengers.

Owner Simon Daymond said he was "calling on WYCA to ensure franchising decisions place greater emphasis on proven operational performance, passenger satisfaction and the contribution made by independent local operators to the communities they serve".

He said: "We know this action will inconvenience passengers, and we sincerely apologise. We have not taken this decision lightly.

"But unless concerns about the franchising process are heard now, we believe the public could face fewer choices, less competition and a bus network increasingly controlled by a handful of large operators.

"This protest is about protecting the future of local bus services and putting the passenger first."

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