HOPES have emerged a bus revolution could be 'kickstarted' in Colchester to bring it in line with big cities like London, Manchester and Leeds. 

Councillors in the city have called on bosses to consider signing up to bus franchising to help "disenfranchised" passengers.

If it were to happen a monopoly would be given to the transport authority who would have control over routes, timetables, and fares.

Essex County Council’s current devolution deal does not have bus franchising powers.

But the new Labour Government has pledged ‘a bus revolution’ where all authorities are promised to have powers or public ownership.

Labour - Labour Essex County Councillor Lee Scordis Labour - Labour Essex County Councillor Lee Scordis (Image: Submitted)

Labour Essex County Councillor Lee Scordis said: “We want the option to have bus franchising which allows the council to run its own bus services, give us more say over private bus companies, meaning they can’t cancel needed bus services.”

Mr Scordis explained that if the authority applied for bus franchising they would need permission from the secretary of state Louise Haigh but also said that Labour is looking at a way to roll this process out faster.

He added: “It doesn’t cost any more from what we do now, as we right now, we have private contracts with bus companies”.

“Our motion was turned down and amended by the Conservatives who seem more interested in devolution – but it seems unanimous from all sides that the bus service is not good enough, not enough compromise”.

Conservative - Kevin Bentley, the Conservative Leader of Essex County CouncilConservative - Kevin Bentley, the Conservative Leader of Essex County Council (Image: ECC)

Essex County Council leader and Conservative Kevin Bentley said: “We fully agree with bus franchising  – not running the buses – and getting hold of the route and fee structure.

“It’s no question especially in rural areas that people are disenfranchised.”

Deregulated - Bus services in England were deregulated Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1986 including Colchester Deregulated - Bus services in England were deregulated Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1986 including Colchester (Image: Phil Mahoney-Berg)

Mr Bentley said it would be good for the council too align bus services alongside train times so people had enough time to go between as well as looking at an ‘Essex Rover ticket’.

He added: "Labour has abstained on the amended version of the devolution deal.

"In the mean time, the government are now putting through a devolution bill but the old current bill can be enhanced and or kept as it is."