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What can a sQP offer transport authorities and bus operators?
1.15 sQPs can offer stability in the scheme area allowing the investment required to deliver bus policy, resulting in increased quality. The range of specific standards can be targeted or aimed at what the transport authority wishes to deliver in terms of customer service, quality of vehicles, modal shift, reliability, and air emissions. A sQP can also offer the bus operator stability which can help justify a higher level of investment in vehicles and services leading to increase in quality and future passenger growth.
1.16 For the transport authority, the benefit is realised by all operators conforming to the same conditions if they wish to use the facilities provided; thereby raising the overall level of quality in a consistent manner. Within a voluntary quality partnership scheme, there is no statutory framework to prevent competing operators providing services on the route or in the area. A sQP may prevent such a situation occurring as operators who do not conform to the specific standards will be excluded from using some of the 'improved' transport authority controlled facilities.
1.17 From an operator's perspective, a sQP is beneficial because it can guarantee that effective bus priority and other quality measures required to enable bus services to operate punctually and reliably can be delivered; and that there is a statutory framework behind their provision, maintenance and delivery. There is also a level of protection given to the operator that the investment they have made is not diminished by non-conforming operators.
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