Agenda item

Report of Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

The Committee considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport (DfT) regarding the County Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan which was being prepared in response to the Department for Transport’s National Bus Strategy entitled, “Bus Back Better”, published on 31 March 2021 (schedule 5 for the signed minutes).

At their meeting on 16 June 2021, Cabinet committed to develop an Enhanced Partnership with local bus operators in order to deliver bus service improvements. Having committed to the adoption of an Enhanced Partnership rather than a Franchising Model, there was a requirement for the Authority to submit a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to the DfT by 31 October 2021 in order to access new funding streams which were being made available.

According to guidance published by the DfT, BSIPs should include the following elements:- (i) Targets for journey times and reliability; (ii) Identification of locations where bus priority measures were required; (iii) An assessment of the likely pressures on the road network including factors such as air quality and carbon reduction; (iv) Passenger growth targets; (v) Plans for a fare strategy;(vi) Consideration of the impact of roadside infrastructure eg bus shelters; (vii) Consideration of how the bus network should serve key destinations such as schools etc; (viii) Local consultation; (ix) Commitment to a Bus Passenger Charter; (x) Implementation of bus priority schemes to reduce journey times; (xi) Increased bus services during evening/weekends/nights to smaller towns and villages; (xii) Higher Frequency of core services; (xiii) Increased promotion and marketing initiatives; (xiv) Greater protection for bus stations from closure; (xv) Development of railway stations as hubs for connecting services; (xvi) Better services to out of town employment and; (xvii) Collaboration with bus operators and energy providers to decarbonise the bus fleets.

During the full and wide-ranging discussion which ensued, Members gave scrutiny to the Authority’s initial ideas for their BSIP in terms of content, focus and scope, asking questions and seeking clarification where necessary. They noted that:- (i) Multi operator ticketing; (ii) bus priority; (iii) ‘whole route’ audits; (iv) high quality bus stop infrastructure; (v) Bus networks; (vi) Patronage growth; (vii) Customer satisfaction; (viii) Emissions; (xi) Development standards and; (x) Marketing had been identified as potential key elements of the Plan. They highlighted the challenging conditions of Staffordshire’s current bus market and identified priorities for inclusion in the BSIP and future partnership working. In addition, they acknowledged that the Plan should focus on supporting commercial bus operators to maintain and build on existing services rather than the Authority seeking to provide services themselves.

The Chairman then thanked the Cabinet Member for his attendance at the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be received and noted.

RECOMMEND Cabinet- That the following priorities be reflected in the County Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP):-

·       Improvements to be made to Roadside Information and Infrastructure including bus shelters, bus stops, timetable information and real time information etc.

·       Passenger information provided to be consistent and accurate at all locations.

·       Improvements to be made to the timing and reliability of local bus services.

·       Links to be made to other strategic agendas and policy areas, including climate change and access to education.

·       Engagement to be maintained with bus users and local communities as the BSIP and Enhanced Partnership are developed, particularly in the most rural areas of the County.

·       Residents to be encouraged to use local bus services in order to improve the financial viability and sustainability of services.