Issue - meetings

The Director of Environment, Transport & Planning to present a report which sets out how the council will discharge the obligation placed on English local transport authorities to develop a Bus Service Improvement Plan by October 2021.

Resolved:  That the approach set out in the report be endorsed.

Reason:     To allow timely development of a Bus Service Improvement Plan for York, mitigate against potential loss of covid bus service support grant from July 2021, and enable a Bus Service Improvement Plan to be delivered in time for a decision on its adoption to be made by Executive in September 2021, prior to the DfT’s deadline of October 2021.

The Corporate Director of Placepresented a report which explained how the council would discharge the obligation placed on English local transport authorities (LTAs) to develop a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) by October 2021.

The National Bus Strategy published on 15 March required either that bus operators form an Enhanced Partnership (EP) with their LTA, or that LTAs commit to franchising bus services in their areas, by the end of June.  Failure to do either would mean losing covid bus service support grant.  In October, LTAs not taking steps to franchise services must publish a BSIP, in partnership with bus operators, setting out how services would be improved in their areas.  Detailed guidance on the BSIP was still awaited from the DfT (Department for Transport).

Initial consultation with bus operators in York had shown a clear preference for the EP delivery model.  As explained in the report, the unusual features of York’s bus network, and good relations between bus operators and the council, meant that a franchised service would not require such major changes as in other areas.  However, procurement timescales meant that moving to a franchised model would not be deliverable within the timeframe.  It was therefore recommended that the council notify the DfT of an intention to form an EP with York’s bus operators by the end of June, and that a further report be brought to the Executive on the detail and content of the BSIP.

In response to the comments made on this item under Public Participation, officers confirmed that they would contact Cllr Crawshaw regarding the role of Scrutiny in the BSIP.

Resolved:  That the approach set out in the report be endorsed.

Reason:     To allow timely development of a Bus Service Improvement Plan for York, mitigate against potential loss of covid bus service support grant from July 2021, and enable a Bus Service Improvement Plan to be delivered in time for a decision on its adoption to be made by Executive in September 2021, prior to the DfT’s deadline of October 2021.