Questions about how bus franchising will work across Calderdale's borders

That is a shame, but has a silver lining in that any issues should be ironed out before it gets here, said Calderdale Council’s leader, Coun Daniel Sutherland.

Bus franchising lets the West Yorkshire Mayor and Combined Authority take control of how buses run, instead of private companies deciding for themselves.

In practice, it means the combined authority, under the Mayor, Tracy Brabin, can set the routes, timetables, how often buses run, fares and tickets, and the standards vehicles and operators must meet, then contract bus firms to deliver those services on its terms.

However, councillors in some parts of the borough are particularly concerned about how it will work for cross-border services.

In Calderdale’s case that means borders with Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Coun Jamie Furlong (Green, Todmorden West) and Coun Sarah Courtney (Lab, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden East) raised the issue in a questions sessions at a meeting of the full Calderdale Council.

Leader of the council, Coun Sutherland (Reform UK, Illingworth and Mixenden) was answering questions relating to West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

Bus franchising, in particular how it will operate across borders, was a big part of a conversation he had had with WYCA’s chief executive Ben Still, he said.

Coun Furlong asked: “As West Yorkshire moves towards bus franchising from 2027, and with Calderdale appearing to come later in that roll-out, what specific representations has the Leader made to the Combined Authority to ensure that our borough is not treated as an afterthought, particularly on cross-boundary services?”

Far example, services to Burnley and Rochdale, in Lancashire and Greater Manchester respectively, were particularly important to upper Calder Valley residents.

Coun Sutherland said bus franchising was being undertaken in three phases, of which Calderdale is in the third phase.

“Which is a shame, but that was pre-agreed before our time in office.

“I would say there is some benefit to not being the first through the door because once those issues are ironed out, once it comes to us hopefully it will go a lot more smoothly.

“I’ve been assured that while we are at the back of the queue technically – because I challenged on this exact point – that we aren’t too far behind and the gap should be about 18 months or so,” he said.

But cross‑border routes – that run into or out of West Yorkshire – along with things like special event or tourist services, generally will not be franchised, they will be permitted, councillors have previously been told.

This means they will need a service permit from the combined authority to operate in West Yorkshire.

Coun Sutherland said relationships with neighbours would be important in making it work.

“I also raised the point on permitting because I know that an awful lot of bus routes go across the border.

“There’s already those relationships in place, because obviously if they go over the border they need a permit to go out of Calderdale, out towards the west.

“Now there’s going to be a permit needed to come back in, but there’s really good relations there, and there is a lot of work going on to make sure that that happens and happens smoothly.

“So there shouldn’t be a negative impact.

“Whilst this decision on franchising was taken a long time ago, I do personally think that there are a number of benefits that can come out of this and we’ll be working to maximise those,” he said.

Coun Courtney said she wanted to be sure services improve, rather than just being maintained, under new arrangements.

Some upper Calder Valley communities were “woefully provided for” along what was a key route network, she said, “for example, Cornholme having a bus once an hour.”

Last year service cuts on main routes to Burnley and Rochdale via Todmorden were protested, including a 2,200 strong petition.