Issue - meetings

This report requests the Executive Member to grant approval for  free weekend bus travel within the City of York administrative area for children and young people up to the age of 18 years old for an initial period of January and February 2016.

Resolved:           That the Executive Member approved Option 2b and approved funding of the free weekend bus travel initiative for the months of January and February 2016. Officers will then bring a report to a further Executive Member Decision Session summarising the costs and benefits of the initiative before proposing a further extension of the scheme.

Reason:              In the short term, to encourage young people to make greater use of the local bus network. In the longer term, to persuade young people to apply for a ‘YOzone’ card which will encourage and embed sustainable travel habits in the months and years ahead.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided details of an offer which will provide free local bus travel on Saturday and Sunday for the months of January and February 2016 within the City of York administrative area for children and young people up to the age of 18 years old.

Officers outlined the report and advised that the offer was the result of commercial negotiations with bus companies following a one off sum of £100,000 which was allocated for the provision of incentives which would make bus travel more attractive for young people.

The Executive Member was aware of a representation from the Labour Group who had queried why Option 1 to use the funding until it ran out, had not been recommended. Officers advised that it would be preferable to pause to assess the effectiveness of the offer after a short period rather than continuing the expenditure until it is exhausted.

Resolved:           That the Executive Member approved Option 2b and approved funding of the free weekend bus travel initiative for the months of January and February 2016. Officers will then bring a report to a further Executive Member Decision Session summarising the costs and benefits of the initiative before proposing a further extension of the scheme.

Reason:              In the short term, to encourage young people to make greater use of the local bus network. In the longer term, to persuade young people to apply for a ‘YOzone’ card which will encourage and embed sustainable travel habits in the months and years ahead.