Could Quality Contracts reverse the fortunes of the provincial bus?

West Yorkshire’s politicians believe that Quality Contracts can reverse the slide in passenger numbers on the conurbation’s bus network. But bus operators say everything that councillors want can be delivered through more effective partnership working. Andrew Forster visited Leeds to hear both sides of the debate

12 November 2010

"What is new? What one ingredient is going to be there that cannot be achieved through partnership?" Dave Alexander, North of England regional managing director, First UK Bus

Chris Greaves has a vision for bus services in West Yorkshire. “When I use buses in London, they’re all red but they’ve all got the operator’s name on,” explains the chair of the conurbation’s Integrated Transport Authority. “Noboby ever looks at the operator’s name. They just get on the bus. That’s what I want people to be able to do – just get on the bus. You can stick your hand out, you can stop it, you can get on it and then you...