Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the take up of the free weekend bus travel offer as agreed by the Executive Member at his Decision Session on 9^th December 2015.

Resolved: That the free travel offer be finished at the end of February but instead of extending the scheme, money be made available to Officers to work with the Youth Council and other relevant groups of young people to investigate measures which would increase bus use by young people.

Reason:   (i) The scheme has not generated increased bus use in the target market (children and young people).

                 (ii) To find out the views of young people in respect of bus travel.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided him with an updated on the take up of the free weekend bus travel offer as agreed by him at his Decision Session on 9 December 2015.

In response to Councillor Levene’s comments raised under Public Participation, Officers responded that the trial was advertised on buses.

The Executive Member stated that he was disappointed when he saw the take up figures. He informed Officers and those present that he had recently met with the Youth Council and had asked if they would work with Council Officers and the bus companies to investigate a way to encourage more young people to use the bus more often. He said that he would make a small amount of funding available for them, and that he was happy to work with the Youth Council rather than extending the scheme as it was in its current form.

Resolved: That the free travel offer be finished at the end of February but instead of extending the scheme, money be made available to Officers to work with the Youth Council and other relevant groups of young people to investigate measures which would increase bus use by young people.

Reason:   (i) The scheme has not generated increased bus use in the target market (children and young people).

                 (ii) To find out the views of young people in respect of bus travel.