Issue - meetings

This report outlines the process by which a Quality Contract might be introduced and identifies benefits and disadvantages of so doing, in accordance with a motion approved by Council on 2 April requesting that the Executive apply to take up the available powers to impose a Quality Contract scheme under Section 124 of the Transport Act 2000. 

RESOLVED: (i)         That the contents of the report be noted, and in particular the fact that no government guidance has yet been issued on the introduction of a Quality Contract Scheme.

                        (ii)        That it is recognised that the costs outlined in the report are well beyond the resources available to the Council unless central government were to underwrite them.

                        (iii)       That, nevertheless, it is accepted that a Quality Contract Scheme might offer some advantages to passengers, particularly if focused on a corridor (or corridors) which are poorly served by public transport.

(iv) That Officers therefore be requested, once guidance from central government becomes available, to further develop a trial scheme based on a corridor approach and to report their findings to a future meeting.

REASON:      In order to respond appropriately to the Council motion, in the light of the current economic climate and the lack of resources and guidance currently available for the introduction of a Quality Contract Scheme.

Members considered a report which responded to a motion approved by Full Council on 2 April 2009 requesting that the Executive apply to take up the powers available under Section 124 of the Transport Act 2000 (the Act) to impose a Quality Contract Scheme (QCS) for the provision of bus services.  This would equate to a re-regulation of the York bus network, enabling the Council to issue contracts for routes, specify service levels, monitor performance and regulate frequencies and fares.

The report outlined the process by which a QCS might be introduced and the advantages, disadvantages and costs of its introduction.  It also examined two potential alternative courses of action under the Act; namely the enhancement of the existing Voluntary Quality Partnership (VQP) and the introduction of a Quality Partnership Scheme (QPS).  It was noted that:

• The introduction of a QCS would require significant funding (estimated at £3m, with ongoing revenue costs of £500k per annum) and would take four to five years.
• A city-wide QCS would include all bus routes operating wholly within York, with the possible exception of the Park & Ride network.
• It was possible that a QCS need not be applied to the whole City.
• The introduction of a QPS would also require significant funding but would support the voluntary partnership and complement existing work, whilst achieving many of the aims of a QCS.

Members were invited to advise Officers whether or not to proceed with the first stages of an enquiry into a launch of a QCS and whether introduction of a QCS on specific routes might be possible.

Having noted the comments of the Labour Group on this item and the comments made by Cllr Alexander under Public Participation / Other Speakers, it was

RESOLVED: (i)         That the contents of the report be noted, and in particular the fact that no government guidance has yet been issued on the introduction of a Quality Contract Scheme.

                        (ii)        That it is recognised that the costs outlined in the report are well beyond the resources available to the Council unless central government were to underwrite them.

                        (iii)       That, nevertheless, it is accepted that a Quality Contract Scheme might offer some advantages to passengers, particularly if focused on a corridor (or corridors) which are poorly served by public transport.

(iv) That Officers therefore be requested, once guidance from central government becomes available, to further develop a trial scheme based on a corridor approach and to report their findings to a future meeting.¹

REASON:      In order to respond appropriately to the Council motion, in the light of the current economic climate and the lack of resources and guidance currently available for the introduction of a Quality Contract Scheme.