Nottingham City Council is preparing to hand over responsibility for public transport functions to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) in what is being described as a landmark step for regional transport planning and delivery.
The move, due to take place no earlier than January 2026 and to be completed by 31 March 2026, follows the creation of EMCCA under the East Midlands Combined County Authority Regulations 2024. The Authority brings together Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire under a single devolution framework, designed to coordinate transport, housing, and economic growth across the region.
The transfer will see EMCCA take control of major public transport responsibilities including policy and strategy, socially necessary bus services, infrastructure management, concessionary fares and smart ticketing schemes such as the Robin Hood Card and Nottingham Contactless. Around 20 City Council staff will move to EMCCA under TUPE arrangements at the same time as the functions transfer.
The City Council’s Executive Board will be asked to agree the Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) which sets out how the transfer will take place. A draft version has already been agreed, covering issues such as liabilities, asset ownership, data sharing, staff transfer and financial arrangements. EMCCA has allocated £5 million across the region to support the transition, with Nottingham receiving £990,000 to offset potential costs during 2025/26.
The change forms part of the £2 billion government investment announced for the East Midlands and aims to create a single regional transport authority capable of delivering a fully integrated network. EMCCA has already begun work on a regional Bus Service Improvement Plan and the “Ride” travel app, which will combine journey planning and payment across multiple transport modes.
Nottingham’s public transport network – regarded as one of the most successful and integrated systems in the country – includes award-winning operators Nottingham City Transport and Trent Barton, alongside the tram network which has the third highest passenger numbers of any UK system. The tram’s Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract, which runs until 2034, will remain with the City Council until that time, with longer-term plans for it to transfer to EMCCA once the contract expires.
Bus stations, park and ride sites and approximately 1,000 real-time passenger information screens will come under EMCCA management in the medium term. During the initial transition, the Council will continue to manage these sites, including Broadmarsh and Victoria bus stations and the Racecourse and Queens Drive park and ride sites, on EMCCA’s behalf through a Service Agreement for up to two years.
The city’s 2025/26 concessionary travel and Bus Service Improvement Plan schemes – which fund seven supported bus routes, travel promotions and the Travelsafe Partnership – will continue until the end of the financial year. EMCCA will take over management of concessionary travel schemes from April 2026, with a single regional scheme to follow from 2027.
The transport levy paid by the constituent councils will fund EMCCA’s ongoing responsibilities. It will be based on the actual cost of delivering the transferred functions, less any government funding or rebates, and must be approved by the EMCCA Board and all four constituent councils.
The City Council emphasises that maintaining Nottingham’s high standards of public transport will be a priority, with officers continuing to play an active role in EMCCA’s governance and decision-making to ensure that investment continues to benefit local residents.
The total value of the transfer is £16.6 million, including the levy budget, Bus Service Improvement Plan funding and the Workplace Parking Levy contribution.
