We asked the Department whether local transport authorities had sufficient information to know what the right delivery model is for their local area.42 The Department said its role is to help local authorities understand the options and acknowledged that many local areas do not currently have the capacity and capability to make the transition to franchising. It told us the pilots of different franchising models will help other areas make informed decisions in the future.43 We noted the risk that local areas do not have the skills to make a decision about delivery models.44