Plans to move the running of public transport from local councils to the East Midlands Mayor went before the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) Board this week (16 December 2024).
The transfer includes setting a clear plan for bus service improvements, concessionary fares, supported bus services, smart ticketing, passenger information provision, planning, infrastructure and more.
Moving these over to EMCCA will help create the best possible transport system for people across the region, especially for people in towns, villages and rural areas.
Having great public transport is key to growing the economy and linked to improving everything from housing, jobs, education and training, it encourages visitors to travel within the area and will help meet the region’s commitment to reducing carbon. It means people aren’t limited to getting a job or going to a college or university in another area because of the lack of good transport links.
East Midlands Combined County Authority will become the single public transport body for the whole region by 2026, starting with transitioning over bus functions in 2025.
Currently these functions are looked after by the four constituent councils – Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “By EMCCA becoming the main public transport body, it gives us a great opportunity to improve our travel networks right across the region. We want to transform transport opportunities for all those who live, work and do business in our region, as well as those who come to visit our amazing places.
“The ambition is to create the best possible transport system for the East Midlands and moving public transport functions over to EMCCA will help us to do this.
“There is already some great work being done by our partners at local councils and we will need their passion and expertise to deliver our collective transport ambitions, so I look forward to working together. We will be working together to ensure we retain our valued staff who work on our Transport teams as we complete the transfer to EMCCA.”
Currently the lack of universally good, sustainable transport links is a major blocker on inclusive growth in the East Midlands. EMCCA’s priority is to develop an integrated and sustainable transport strategy, investment plan and delivery body.
Plans for awarding the EMCCA region a major increase in funding for transport – more than the area has ever had before – are being developed by the government and an announcement is expected as part of the Spending Review in the Spring 2025.
EMCCA discussed the plans at their Board meeting on Monday 16 December, you can rewatch the live stream and find the Board papers here.