LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Franchising lucky seven

Three of us did have some fun tracing the history of how things used to be done: council-run buses, South Yorkshire Transport (South Yorkshire County Council), Mainline, the appearance and disappearance of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, and more. And, any mention of buses always inspires a catalogue of how many First buses have “missed” recently.

Franchising itself, however, did not stimulate much discussion. One of my drinking pals had read The Advertiser article, hadn’t understood it, and refused my offer of explaining it. Another expressed the view that he didn’t care who runs the buses as long as they turn up, approximately, on time. A third summed it up neatly by saying that he was underwhelmed by the whole prospect.

Unfortunately, those responsible for exploring the intricacies of franchising also seem underwhelmed by its possibilities. The Mayor thinks that it’s not a “silver bullet” to solve all the problems. And our own Cllr Read (co-chair of the relevant mayoral sub-group) pointed out that it would take “a few years” to sort out.

Seven years is the period quoted previously. Of course, these are local government years so it could be ten or 15. That’s a long time to be peering anxiously up the road for any sign of your bus.

What seems to be missing is the usual excitable talk of “transformation”. Compare it with the government’s “Levelling Up” programme. No-one believes a word of that but it’s full of jargon, marketing, etc.

Seven is, perhaps, the most famous number in the English language so a seven-year lead-in period is ripe for imaginative branding. What about “Seventh Franchising Heaven”, or “The Seven Year Franchising Itch”, or, even, “The Seven Deadly Franchising Sins” More simply, “Franchising: Lucky Seven” would hit the spot. No-one could be underwhelmed by that.      Rob Slow, Rotherham