A new era for the UK bus industry is in sight, with bus franchising giving local authorities the power to control routes, timetables and fares. The shift has the potential to energise public confidence in bus travel, and restore its reputation for convenience and affordability.
Reversing decline
Buses remain the backbone of local public transport networks, yet few would argue that bus travel has struggled to keep pace with passengersʼ expectations. Fare complexity, fragmented services and unreliability have eroded confidence. After the hammerblow of the pandemic, ridership has been slow to bounce back, leaving the industry in need of a re-set.
Enter bus franchising. While the Bus Services Act of 2017 isnʼt a magic wand to solve all the problems with bus travel, it puts local authorities rather than commercial operators in charge of designing services. By removing the profit incentive, it creates an opportunity to think bigger than bus – repositioning bus travel at the heart of integrated mobility networks.
Building trust with technology
Setting out with a goal for cohesion is exciting and daunting in equal measure. If local authorities pursue a full franchising model, they have a responsibility to buy, deploy and maintain technology systems that tackle the bugbears of todayʼs bus travellers.
To really change perceptions about public transport, and drive increased patronage, they must invest wisely in solutions that deliver the seamless, digital-first travel experiences. With the technology landscape evolving rapidly, forming partnerships with knowledgeable, experienced technology providers that can embed and optimise flexible systems is critical.
On the fare collection side, account-based ticketing and open payments can unify networks – making tickets simple to buy (or not needed at all), and fares transparent and fair. Mobility apps make it a breeze to plan multimodal journeys, buy tickets, and validate, all in one place. And real-time information systems – essential for confident travel – give passengers access to service updates on the go, either on their smartphones, or on displays around the network.
Behind the scenes, integrated back-office platforms can provide authorities with insights needed to respond to demand patterns and optimise services delivery.
With the right technology foundations, local authorities can position buses at the centre of connected transport networks, unlocking a future where multiple modes – bus, tram, rail, micromobility and shared transport – are accessible through a single platform.
A global perspective
London remains the standout UK example of how bus franchising can deliver this cohesion, with Transport for Londonʼs regulated model underpinning simple, capped fares, citywide smart ticketing through Oyster and contactless, and a reputation for reliable, frequent services.
Manchester has followed a similar path with the launch of its Bee Network. Its multimodal Tap and Go system has been a hit with passengers, with a record-breaking 305,000 contactless trips recorded on a single day, and ridership and fare revenue exceeding expectations.
The lesson from these cities is clear: when authorities embrace the opportunity to start with a blank canvas and sketch out a passenger-first approach, supported by modern technology, buses can be repositioned as vital connectors within a larger mobility network.
Vix is one of the technology leaders at the forefront of this transition, providing the ticketing platform that powers Tap and Go in Manchester, and delivering thousands of real-time information displays to local authorities throughout the UK and Ireland.
Weʼve seen first-hand how data-enriched smart ticketing and real-time information systems help authorities reimagine mobility networks – driving operational efficiency, and enabling a laser focus on meeting the evolving expectations of passengers.
A turning point for bus travel
Franchising is a step-change for UK bus travel. By seizing the opportunity to invest in modern technology, local authorities can redefine how people experience buses – transforming services so they are valued and used by people, not because they have to, but because they
want to. Because they are reliable, fast, simple, affordable and sustainable.
For a more detailed look at Manchester's route to franchising - and insight into the technology franchised networks need, take a look at Vixʼs latest white paper: 'Unlock the potential of bus franchising: a technology roadmap for local transport authorities'.
