New bus depots needed in franchising, says report

A county's current bus depots are "insufficient" to support the plans for franchising, an independent report has found.

The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) said that under franchising it would set routes, timetables and fares, with bus operators bidding for contracts to run specific services.

There are currently bus depots in Cambridge and Peterborough, but a review into the plans has recommended "the construction and provision of new CPCA-controlled depots in both cities to encourage healthy competition and provide greater oversight".

The CPCA said it would be introducing franchising in stages, starting in 2027.

Currently, bus services in Cambridgeshire are run by private operators, which can cut or withdraw routes if they feel they are not commercially viable.

Nik Johnson, the CPCA's former Labour mayor, signed off on plans to take control of various routes in February 2025.

Last year, a meeting at Peterborough City Council heard those plans were made on the basis the mayoral precept would increase, but the current Conservative mayor Paul Bristow pledged to keep the precept as it was when he was elected in May 2025.

Bristow commissioned a review and it found: "The current depots in Cambridge and Peterborough are insufficient to support the CPCA's long-term aspirations for its network and fleet in a franchise environment."

It said the scheme had expected that the first franchised bus services would begin in late 2027 and the second round would follow in 2028.

"In light of the affordability challenge, the current situation on new depots for the larger franchise lots, and data limitations on understanding the performance of the network..., the timelines are no longer considered practical and the approach to phasing bus service contracts must be revised."

It said larger franchise lots should be delayed until the CPCA "can establish ownership of suitable depots from which bidders can operate".

Bristow said: "We are still on track, but we will do it responsibly, and according to these review recommendations.

"We will take a phased approach that reflects the reality of our area, learns from others, and builds something that works."

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