Ian White, Head of Service Passenger Transport, will speak to the Area Board about the current bus service review.
Minutes:
The Area Board received a presentation from Ian White, Head of Service Passenger Transport, regarding the review of council funded bus services and how this was likely to affect the Corsham area.
The following issues were discussed:
The Council recognises the importance of good public transport however:
• There is pressure on public spending increasing year by year
• The financial plan has a requirement to make savings
• Contract prices are beginning to rise again
• For this reason reviews are taking place looking for more financially sustainable ways of meeting these needs
• The review includes all services financially supported by the council, focussing mainly on services which are poorly used or expensive to provide. Commercial services are no included in the review as the council has no control over the route or timetable of these services.
Zig Zag Service
• The Council is currently consulting on proposed changes to the Zig Zag service, but other supported services will also be reviewed in due course
• The Zig Zag service is poorly used. There are 28,500 single passenger trips per year.
• There are on average only eight passengers on the whole length of each bus journey
• Use is particularly low north of Melksham
• The service is expensive to provide costing £108,000 per year, the subsidy for each single passenger trip is around £3.70 and costs are expected to rise when re-tendered.
• The proposed timetable reduces cost by using fewer vehicles, retains a similar service south of Melksham, fewer journeys north of Melksham, and none to Chippenham . This should still meet the needs of many users.
• The Council is also looking for other ways of meeting needs at an affordable cost – suggestions are invited.
• A letter and information sheet regarding the consultation has been sent out via Area Board managers
• There is a questionnaire for bus users – available on the bus and on website which asks for specific information on needs that would not be met. The consultation closes on 2 August 2013.
• Information from the consultation will be considered before a decision is made
• Tenders to operate will then be invited and implementation will begin in January 2014.
Corsham Town Service
• The service had been expanded with Basil Hill developer funding, which runs out soon
• Current use does not justify two buses running the service
• Options being considered including a single loop with 30 minute frequency and retention of current routes but with hourly frequency
• A consultation would take place in summer/autumn for implementation early in 2014.
Commercial Services
• Route, timetables and fares controlled by the operator not the council
• Two operators running competing services;
• Chippenham - Corsham - Bath (First 231/232; Faresaver X31)
• Chippenham – Lacock – Trowbridge – Frome (First 234; Faresaver X34)
• Changes to First services from 29 July
• Changes to Faresaver service 1 September
Colerne Services
• 228 (Colerne - Bath)
Mainly commercial service, the operator is proposing reductions, negotiations are taking place to minimise impact
• 635 (Chippenham - Marshfield - Bristol)
Part commercial, part council funded service; tendering for funded elements but currently no proposal to reduce service
• 36 (Castle Combe – Colerne – Corsham – Chippenham, Tues & Friday only)
Consultation taking place soon; very poorly used and seeking alternative ways of providing service.
Summary
• Bus services are important but can’t escape the pressures on public sector funding
• The Zig Zag consultation is open until 2 August; please reply if it affects you
• The Corsham town bus consultation will take place later this year
• Changes to First and Faresaver commercial services will take place from 29 July and 1 September
• Colerne services involve a complex interaction of commercial and council funded elements
• Ideas are welcomed about how services can be made more cost-effective but still meet local need
Questions
· It was confirmed that the Council has no power over the timetables of commercial services.
· At the moment electric vehicles were not being used but this may be considered in the future. At present electric vehicles are not very reliable.
· The concessionary fares scheme is administered by the Council with funding provided by the government. Operators and authorities are not permitted to ask passholders to contribute towards their concessionary fares.
· Transport to the new campus building was being considered by the Community Operations Board who report to the Area Board. No money was available to subsidise a bus service to the campus.
· There was a lead in time for operators to be required to use low level vehicles that could easily be accessed by disabled people.