Franchising petition launched

A petition is calling on the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to ‘franchise’ bus services and bring them back under public control.

Several organisations back the ‘Reclaim our Buses’ campaign, after fears cuts could leave residents isolated.

Privatised in the 1980s, operators have cut 46 bus services in the area controlled by WECA so far this year.

WECA Mayor, Dan Norris, said while franchising could be an ‘answer’, it did not come without risk.