Agenda item

Bus Strategy 2018-2026 and Financial Changes to the Non-Commercial Bus Network

Report by Executive Director of Economy, Infrastructure and Environment and Director of Highways and Transport – attached.

 

This report presents the final draft of the West Sussex Bus Strategy 2018 to 2026 together with recommended changes to financial support to the non-commercial bus network.

 

The Committee is asked to consider and give feedback on the revised Bus Strategy 2018-2026 and the findings and overall approach of the Task and Finish Group; along with the recommendations for changes to financial support for the non-commercial bus network.

 

If required this item will continue in Part II.

Minutes:

49.1 The Committee considered a report by Executive Director Economy, Infrastructure and Environment and Director of Highways and Transport (copy appended to signed minutes). 

 

49.2 Bill Leath, Transport Bureau Manager and Andy Ekinsmyth, Head of Transport and Countryside introduced the report which presented the final draft of the West Sussex Bus Strategy 2018-2026 together with recommended changes to financial support to the non-commercial bus network. Key points were:

 

·         The introduction of the Bus Services Act 2017, gave the County Council an opportunity to look at alternative ways to engage and work with bus companies.

 

·         A Passenger Transport Executive Task and Finish Group (TFG) was set up to review the various bus services and a draft strategy was brought to the Committee in June 2018 at the same time as a public consultation took place. The strategy was then redrafted after the TFG took on board all comments. Smart technology, ticketing and other areas to improve bus companies’ commercial fares were also reviewed by the TFG.

 

49.3 The Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure welcomed members’ views on the strategy. He advised that it was important the County Council had a strategy that would deliver residents’ requirements and include a funding framework and infrastructure that would assist bus services in the county. He highlighted the need to give guidance to partners and for the strategy to be commercially viable.

 

49.4 The Committee made comments including those that follow. It:

 

·        Raised concerns that the reduction or withdrawal of certain bus routes would impact the elderly, isolated and less well-off who depended on them as a lifeline out of their community; noting that the consultation responses had shown there was a great deal of human impact to the implementation. 

 

·        Sought reassurance from the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure that subsidies for registered disabled people would not be withdrawn. The Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure advised that these subsidies would not be withdrawn. 

 

·        Questioned whether it was correct that as expressed by the South Downs National Park (SDNP) that the County Council had a duty to maintain the level of bus services within the park’s boundaries. Mr Leath advised legal advice would need to be sought and then an answer could be provided to the Committee.

 

·        Requested to see the listed criteria that had been provided as guidance to the TFG.

 

49.5 Mr Jones made the following proposal, seconded by Mrs Brunsdon which the Committee considered: -

 

49.6 That the Committee supports the principles of the draft Bus Strategy and notes the methodology adopted by the TFG and that the methodology applied only managed to identify around 50% of the savings the Cabinet Member was seeking to find.

 

49.7 A vote was held and the proposal was carried

 

49.8 Resolved – That the Committee:

 

1)   Supports the principles of the draft Bus Strategy and notes the methodology adopted by the TFG and that the methodology applied only managed to identify around 50% of the savings the Cabinet Member was seeking to find.

 

2)   Supports the recommendations of the TFG.

 

Supporting documents: