Bus operators across West Yorkshire could soon be subject to new regulation and public control under plans proposed by the transport authority Metro to turn the tide of falling passenger numbers.

West Yorkshire’s Integrated Transport Authority has announced it will recommend councillors approve the introduction of a Bus Quality Contract Scheme when they meet on Friday.

They say it is the best way to provide significant benefits to passengers including integrated ticketing, higher standards, a more stable network and pricing structures and better local accountability for service standards.

If implemented, it would be only the second such scheme in the country and the first outside London.

It comes as the number of bus journeys in West Yorkshire have reduced from 235 million in 1995-96 to an estimated 180 million in 2011-12.

The idea has seen concern from bus operators across the region, but Metro chairman, Councillor James Lewis, said a recent partnership offer made by the Association of Bus Operators of West Yorkshire ( ABOWY) was a strong one, but it did not offer a common integrated ticketing system.

“I can understand why the bus operators could perceive the change as a threat,” he said.

“But with declining patronage numbers and passengers saying that they have nowhere to voice any dissatisfaction they may have with services, they cannot want to continue with the current framework which is failing everyone. When any of my colleagues and I attend a public meeting on transport it is clear that people across West Yorkshire are not happy with some bus services and this has been reflected by a steady drop in passenger numbers over the past ten to 15 years.

“Because councillors are listening to what the public are telling them, Metro’s work towards the Quality Contract framework has at each stage received cross-party backing on the ITA.

“No matter what party they represent, my colleagues recognise that buses are vital to West Yorkshire’s economy and wellbeing and that the current de-regulated framework, which has led to fragmentation, a lack of long term planning, instability inadequate rewards for some operators and excessive profits for others, is not working.”

He said Metro spends £23 million a year subsidising services, almost £50 million on the county’s concessionary fares scheme and another £1 million supporting stations and infrastructure.

A report to Friday’s meeting states that forecasts indicate a Bus Quality Contract Scheme would provide greater benefits and perform better than the ABOWY partnership on offer in terms of bus patronage, benefits for passengers, and impact upon the economy and jobs.

Bradford Liberal Democrat Councillor Geoff Reid, who is a member of the ITA, said: “This is a move which is overwhelmingly supported in Bradford district and the other four West Yorkshire districts.”