Agenda item

The Committee to consider the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport’s response to the TFG’s recommendations, which were reported direct to the Cabinet Member in time to inform her work.

Members will additionally be updated on any developments since the preparation of the TFG report.

Members will be invited to consider the need for, and timing of, any further work for the TFG which can be identified at this time.

9.1        The Chairman of the Bus Enhanced Partnership Plan Task and Finish Group (TFG), Cllr Oakley, introduced the item by reporting that the TFG had met on 11 April to look at Bus Enhanced Partnership Plan and the considerable challenges bus companies were expecting at the end of the financial Covid support from the Government in September 2022.  The paper included the Cabinet Member’s responses to the recommendations suggested by the TFG.

9.2        The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Cllr Joy Dennis, thanked the TFG for their work in such a tight timeframe.  The work aimed to improve bus service delivery in a time when consumers were changing their usage habits, in a climate of increased costs and labour shortages.  She reported that an important part of the bid planned for some of the funding received to be used to encourage young people to use bus services by offering children’s fares for all those under 21 years of age.  This scheme would be limited to within West Sussex and operate for up to three years whilst funding was available with the intention that the operators continue to provide such discounts commercially thereafter.

9.3        Members of the Committee asked questions on the report and below is a summary of the questions and answers.

9.4        There are areas of the county that have no bus services, both rural and urban areas.  Concerns were raised as to how services could be improved to help relieve problems of isolation.  Cllr Dennis reported that routes were altered, reduced and expanded based on patronage.  Members were reminded that demand-led community transport services were also available in some parts of the county.  Community Transport Sussex (CTS) provides support to local community groups as well as development expertise to help them sustain existing services and grow where they can.  CTS funds this from a service level agreement with the County Council and also district/borough/parish/town councils through a paid membership scheme.  Many of the community groups are looking to expand their services from elderly and disabled customers to include those with social isolation and those who did not have access to conventional services.  Discussion was ongoing on improving access through the introduction of new Digital Demand Response transport schemes for isolated people.

9.5        The proposed A259 bus lane was very much in the early planning stages yet and work would need to be done with National Highways to facilitate.  There had been clear indication that the funding of such a scheme would not be allowed in the County Council’s bid for funds at this time as it could not be delivered by March 2025.  However, the County Council would continue to explore this proposal with the view that central future funding may become available later.

9.6        Bus usage data was collated by bus companies from ticket sales, driver intelligence and contactless payment data.  It was hoped in the future to collect data on where journeys ended through the introduction of readers to be used when passengers alight in the same way as the London Underground.  This would allow fares to be capped to their lowest level and encourage greater bus use.

9.7        The knowledge on viability of bus routes was with the commercial bus companies.  Officers were in discussion with bus companies on future risks, their plans and challenges etc.

9.8        Accessibility of bus services for disabled bus users was an area of concern raised by the TFG but not covered in this round of work.  It was agreed an audit of facilities could be picked up within the planned bus stop facilities audit.

9.9        Resolved – that the Committee:

1.   Agreed that any revisions to the details of the final bid should be shared with the Committee virtually.

2.   Agreed that the TFG continue to meet over the coming year, firstly in the autumn to see where work on the viability of current services and the development of projects within the bid had reached.  If the TFG felt there were wider issues they could refer them to the scrutiny committee. 

3.   Agreed that the membership of the TFG could change depending on the specific subject matter.