Issue - meetings

The Chairman reported receipt of the above mentioned motion from Councillors Magnus Macdonald and Gordon King. 

Accordingly, Councillor Magnus Macdonald moved the following motion which was duly seconded by Cllr Gordon King:

‘Council recognises the progress that has been made by service providers to introduce Smart Card technologies on public transport across the region.

Council further recognises the potential cost savings that can be achieved through the adoption of such schemes as well as the considerable improvements in customer experience that can result.

Council notes the benefits of integrating such schemes, thus better facilitating residents being able to travel with ease, and further notes that where such schemes are integrated with associated transport schemes, such as car parking and other council services, additional savings and improvements for residents can be achieved.

Council therefore requests that the Administration work with Officers and partners to develop a 'One Card for Wiltshire' scheme that would enable a resident to use a single payment card to pay for both public transport and car parking across the county. Additionally Council requests that the possibility of adding the ability to pay for other council services should be investigated.

Council recognises that there is work being undertaken on a regional basis and that any such scheme will have to be phased in, but requests the Administration to ensure that future developments on use of Smart Cards in the county should focus on delivery of 'One Card for Wiltshire'

Cllr Macdonald took the opportunity to promote his motion to Council. He considered that this should be seen as the start of a process for this Council to use the technology now available to improve travel payment arrangements for the people of Wiltshire. He commented that a number of other authorities were also actively investigating such a move and in time such arrangements could be as firmly established here as the Oyster card was in London.

The Chairman moved that this motion be referred to the Leader without debate and this was duly seconded and on being put to the vote, it was

Resolved:

That motion No. 10 – One Card for Transport in Wiltshire be referred to the Leader for appropriate action without debate.