Timeline Revealed for East Yorkshire Mayor to Take Over Public Transport

A detailed timeline has been published outlining how the newly established Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority will take over responsibility for public transport in the region, with the majority of functions expected to transfer by October 2026. The document, released by the combined authority's transition team, sets out a phased approach to bringing bus services, transport planning and infrastructure investment under the control of the elected mayor and combined authority board.

The first phase, already under way, involves the transfer of strategic transport planning functions from Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council to the combined authority. This includes responsibility for the Local Transport Plan, cycling and walking strategies, and coordination with national bodies such as National Highways and Network Rail. The second phase, scheduled for completion by the summer, will see the combined authority take on powers relating to bus service improvement, including the ability to set standards for fares, routes and timetables through an Enhanced Partnership arrangement with local bus operators.

The most significant change will come in the third phase, when the combined authority assumes powers to franchise bus services if the Enhanced Partnership approach fails to deliver the improvements that passengers expect. Franchising would give the mayor and combined authority direct control over routes, fares and frequencies, similar to the model used in Greater Manchester. Local transport campaigners have welcomed the prospect of franchising, arguing that the current deregulated system has led to the withdrawal of services from less profitable routes, leaving many communities in the East Riding with limited or no bus connections.

Stagecoach and East Yorkshire Buses, the two main operators in the region, have said they are committed to working with the combined authority through the Enhanced Partnership process. However, the mayor has made clear that franchising remains an option if operators fail to deliver on commitments around fare levels, service reliability and coverage of rural routes. A public consultation on the combined authority's transport priorities is expected to launch in April, giving residents across Hull, Beverley, Bridlington, Goole, Driffield and the surrounding villages the opportunity to shape the future of public transport in the region.