Like all other modes of public transport, bus usage has been hit hard by the pandemic with passenger levels dropping by around half.But bosses say bus patronage recovered more quickly than than others.A central part of funding the bus franchising scheme is the mayoral precept, a part of council tax which goes towards paying for regional services that fall within Mr Burnham’s remit.Taxpayers already pay £3 towards a year towards bus reform as part of their preceptBut this will rise progressively to £18.20 for Band D properties by the end of the 2025/26 transition period, which has been pushed back a year due to Covid-19.The new eight-week consultation, with a view of proceeding with bus franchising sooner rather than later, is expected to be.