FAQs

Franchising is a legal model where buses are under the control of a local authority (in West Yorkshire this would be the Combined Authority)

Under franchising, the Combined Authority would set the routes, frequency, fares and overall standards of buses in our region. The existing commercially led market will be replaced, with private bus operators no longer being able to run most services independently. Bus services would instead be operated under franchise contracts, where bus operators would bid to run the services through a competitive procurement process managed by the Combined Authority.

There are some services which are not included in the franchising scheme and the service permit regime provides a way for these services to operate in West Yorkshire. 

Any current or proposed registered local bus services that are not part of the franchised network (or are otherwise exempted) will require a service permit if they are to operate in West Yorkshire.

Examples of what Service permits would be required for:

• Cross–boundary services (ones that start or end outside of West Yorkshire)
• Special event services
• Tourist services
• New West Yorkshire commercial services (non-franchised)
• New West Yorkshire tendered services (non-franchised)
• AccessBus
• Works services
• Open services that are outside franchise scheme
• Coaches with two stops or more within West Yorkshire

Services that travel outside of West Yorkshire are not included in bus franchising because it only covers routes within the region. It isn’t possible to franchise a service that travels outside of the West Yorkshire boundary.

We are keen to see a continuation of services that will soon come under a permit, including the cross-boundary services, which will be facilitated through the service permit regime with commercial operators.

The regime is made up of two parts; the first is the service permit policy which details the application process for operators, and the second part is the service permit conditions, through which the Combined Authority can stipulate certain standards that permitted services must meet.

So, if an operator wished to run a service under a permit, they would need to put forward an application in line with the procedure set out in the service permit policy. If the Combined Authority determined that the proposed service meets the statutory test, then it will be awarded a permit.

The Combined Authority would then notify the operator of which standards set out in the service permit conditions document it will apply to the permitted service.

The statutory test is set out in legislation as the criteria services need to meet in order to be awarded a permit to operate in a franchised network. The proposed service must be deemed to benefit persons making journeys in West Yorkshire, and the proposed service cannot have an adverse effect on franchised services (e.g. by abstracting revenue from the network).  

The Combined Authority is required to follow a prescribed process when designing and implementing its service permit regime. We are undertaking a statutory consultation from 6 January to 5 February. Following this an outcome report summarising the feedback will be considered at a future Combined Authority meeting.

Approval will be sought from the Combined Authority to proceed with the Service Permit Regime with any amendments following consultation.

The Regime will be launched prior to the commencement of the Round 1 franchise services to enable operators wishing to apply for a permit to do so.

The service permit regime will enable the continued operation of non-franchised services after the implementation of franchising. Additionally, the service permit regime allows the Combined Authority to specify standards relating to permitted services relating to fares and ticketing, emission standards, fleet specification, and customer experience to ensure a consistent offer for customers.  

Some permitted services will be operated commercially by operators, while some could be operated under a Combined Authority tender and so it is possible that there will be a difference between the services under the permit regime and those operating in the franchised network.

This is because we don’t have the same ability to specify standards with a permitted commercial service as we do with those that are fully franchised.

Government legislation sets out the areas over which we can attach conditions, and which will need to be calibrated to ensure a consistent minimum standard for customers and inter-operability with the franchised network, without be overly burdensome to operators so that such services are able to be run.

This may mean that non-franchised services, including cross-boundary services, operating under a service permit will look different to franchised services, for example, they may have a different colour paint to franchised buses and offer their own tickets in addition to Weaver ticket products.

The traffic commissioner will still have a role within the franchised environment. Services operated under a franchise contract will be monitored by the Combined Authority to ensure they operate as specified, but we will use traffic commissioner guidance as the basis for their operation, such as keeping to the punctuality requirements of 1 minute early to 5 minutes late. 

Services which operate under permit will require registration with the traffic commissioner in the same way as exists now.

In what instances would the Combined Authority add a new tendered service?

The Combined Authority will consider tendering new services in line with our duties to provide socially necessary services under the existing 1985 transport act powers. If a service has been identified as being required to fill a gap where the franchised network does not operate then the Combined Authority will assess these on a case by case basis to determine the best course of action.

If you wish to operate a service commercially under permit it is hightly advised to take advantage of the free pre-application discussion that the Combined Authority will offer. This enables us to work with you to ensure that any problems that could arise are resolved prior to the application.

If you are applying for a permit as a result of a tender organised by the Combined Authority this process has covered the pre-application process therefore it would not be necessary, however the Combined Authority is always open to discussion with operator colleagues if any questions arise.

If you are applying for a service permit on behalf of a tender or franchise contract from another Local Transport Authority we expect that the LTA will have had discussions with the Combined Authority about this, however, we welcome pre-application conversations nonetheless if there are any points that require resolution prior to application

The Combined Authority is developing the process for application which is subect to the consultation. the proposed form (which can be found on the Your Voice page [link]) contains the questions that will need to be answered in order to apply.

To apply for a permit it is proposed that the form will be downloadable and would be emailed to the Combined Authority bus team along with a TransXchange or suitably detailed timetable and map.

Our plan is to develop a digital form to provide a more streamlined approach in the build up to launch. However, the premise of the information required is not expected to change unless feedback from the consultation indicates we can make the application process easier.

The franchising transition decision stipulates that a service permit will be required for any service to which it necesitates from the commencement of the first round (4^th April 2027). This does mean services which are not in the geographical area of the first round will require a permit.

More information on the roll out of franchising can be found here.

This is because the franchising scheme relates to the whole region and there are no sub areas or individual zones. The roll out of franchising in rounds does not relate to the franchising scheme area.

Services in line for franchising over the transition period do not require a permit.

The application period will be open from September 2026 to facilitate a smooth transition to the new state.

The Combined Authority has a payments system which will be able to recieive application payments, this system is subject to change as we develop the prcoess.

Note: if an application is withdrawn during the assessment timescales there can be no refunds issued, therefore the pre-application process is recommended for operators to identify any problems which may cause a permit to be rejected.

Service permits will be for any open local stopping service. Effectively any service that should be registered with the traffic commissioner should be in receipt of a service permit.

There are exceptions for closed services (which are not registered and do not take payment onboard), Rail replacement services, and services such as coaches which take passengers further than 15-miles between stops.

If in doubt about your service it is advised to contact the Combined Authority bus team for guidance.

Guidance on bus station slots and stopping can be found on the Combined Authority website.

Operators will be free to promote their services once a permit is issued. The Combined Authority may assist with this but on a case-by-case basis. The timetables for services will be displayed at their relevant stops and stations much like any other service.