Minister vows to improve city's bus services

A consultation on introducing franchising to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is under way

The transport secretary has vowed to bring better bus services to a city where routes are currently privately-run.

Louise Haigh visited Peterborough on Monday to talk about plans to bring bus franchising to more areas of England, where local authorities make decisions on routes, timetables and fares.

Ms Haigh said she wanted to speed up the process of introducing franchising in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, where a consultation on the issue is under way.

But the Conservatives have called on the government to explain how the plans would be funded.

Shadow Transport Secretary Helen Whately said Labour's plans were "unfunded" and asked for clarity on whether local authorities would be expected to raise taxes or cut services, such as social care, to make up the shortfall.

Louise Haigh plans to give local authorities in England powers to run their own bus services

Ms Haigh visited ARU Peterborough's new campus to unveil her plans to give local authorities more power to control bus services.

She said local leaders had "already started the process" of bringing franchising to the area, adding: "We'll bring better bus services for residents of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire more quickly than under the previous regime."

Labour MPs Andrew Pakes (left) and Sam Carling welcomed the government bus reform package

Two Labour MPs in the city welcomed the plans.

Sam Carling, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, which covers part of the city, said the announcement was "really, really positive".

He added: "Franchising will give us a lot of different powers and abilities to make buses better for people."

Andrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough, said: "The clue for public transport's in the name – the public should be involved.

"If we get buses right we improve life for everyone in Peterborough."

Paul Bristow, the Conservative former MP for Peterborough between 2019 and 2024, said any plans would have to be "properly funded" and could not be "uncosted".

He added: "If the government is providing more money for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's bus services that can be welcomed."