Issue - meetings

This report considers the bus services which have been procured by the Council on an emergency basis and considers the benefit of each bus route to the communities served and the performance of the journeys funded. The Cabinet Member is asked to consider the options for the continuation, alteration or cessation of the services.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member for City Strategy agrees to:

i)       Retain the current network of Council subsidised bus routes and journeys for 2011/12 as set out in table A at paragraph 15 of the report.

ii)       Consult on and deliver viable public transport provision for the areas currently served by routes 13 and 19.

REASON:                     This course of action will allow the Council to continue to work towards its stated aim of delivering a significant improvement to the bus network whilst at the same time ensuring that resources are spent in line with the Council’s stated criteria for the funding of public bus services.

The Cabinet Member examined a report which set out details of the bus services procured by the Council on an emergency basis and examined the benefit of each bus route to the communities served together with the performance of the journeys funded.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that it had not been possible to amend the majority of inherited services however he had asked officers to undertake consultation prior to further revisions in service. Discussions had also been undertaken regarding timescales with the Quality Bus Partnership. He pointed out that marketing was important, particularly with the difficult budget situation, but that he was committed to improving services.

Consideration was given to the following options:

a.   Retain the current network of Council subsidised bus routes and journeys for 2011/12 as set out in table A at paragraph 15 of this report. Consult on and deliver viable public transport provision for the areas currently served by routes 13 and 19.

b.   Consult on the discontinuation of one or more or of the services which have not been tendered and which do not meet the Council’s criteria for subsidy as set out in this report

Following further discussion it was

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member for City Strategy agrees to:

i)       Retain the current network of Council subsidised bus routes and journeys for 2011/12 as set out in table A at paragraph 15 of the report.

ii)       Consult on and deliver viable public transport provision for the areas currently served by routes 13 and 19. ^1.

REASON:                     This course of action will allow the Council to continue to work towards its stated aim of delivering a significant improvement to the bus network whilst at the same time ensuring that resources are spent in line with the Council’s stated criteria for the funding of public bus services.