Agenda item

This report considers a petition presented to the Council in July 2010 requesting that First York and North Yorkshire continue to operate the route 13/13a bus service which operates between Monks Cross and Copmanthorpe via Heworth/Bell Farm, York College/Askham Bar and Copmanthorpe.

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

i)                    Note the content of the petition;

ii)                  Support Option b to accept the commercially registered service 13 registered by First West and North Yorkshire, namely a daytime service no longer linked to the Monks Cross area of York;

iii)                Propose to First Group that route 13 should be operated in a bi-directional loop around Elmfield Avenue – Dodsworth Avenue;

iv)                Ask Officers to further investigate how best to offer a link between Dodsworth/Elmfield Avenue and Monks Cross as part of the ongoing review of the tendered bus network. Such a link to be established before access, via the number 13, is discontinued and to be subject to further discussions with businesses at Monks Cross, and elsewhere on the route, regarding revenue contributions towards the service (as described in para. 20 of the officer report);

v)                  Instruct Officers to arrange to move the No. 9 bus service stops on Malton Road to a point closer to the Laburnum Garth junction whilst ensuring that they are easily accessible from the Woodlands/Elmfield View residential area;

vi)                Ask Officers to ensure that alternative bus services, including dial and ride, are well publicised in the Woodlands/Elmfield View area before the 13A loop is discontinued;

vii)              Ask Officers to approach Coastliner to investigate whether Route 844 could be diverted via Woodlands Grove.

REASON:      The proposed, subsidised, extensions to the commercial route can be accommodated within the budget for this year. It is highly likely, however, that the public transport budget will require re-evaluation following the Government’s comprehensive spending review and would not be a priority area for expenditure when compared to other supported bus routes. The discontinued section of route (and hours of operation) can be accommodated in the review of subsidised bus services to be undertaken later this year. The bi-directional route is proposed as this is felt to best serve the needs of the Dodsworth Avenue/Elmfield Avenue residents and the commercial needs of First West and North Yorkshire.

The Executive Member considered a report, which had been prepared in response to a petition presented to the Council in July 2010 requesting that First West and North Yorkshire continue to operate the route 13/13A bus service. The service operated between Monks Cross and Copmanthorpe via Heworth/Bell Farm, York College/Askham Bar and Copmanthorpe.

Representations were received from a representative of the Muncaster Residents Association who raised a number of objections to the changes made to these services. She referred to the hardship and inconvenience the changes would make to a number of elderly residents in the area.

Councillor Boyce pointed out that, as Local Member, she did not support the proposed changes, which would make the lives of local residents more difficult. She requested the Executive Member to examine alternatives to ensure residents were adequately catered for.

Councillor Funnell referred to a recent public meeting when local residents had expressed the level of feeling at the service changes. She confirmed that she supported Option d which would retain the connection to Monks Cross and requested the Executive Member to reconsider this option.

Officers confirmed that the majority of residents would still be able to reach Monks Cross and the city centre but that Officers would do all they could to support services.

The Executive Member considered the following options:

a. Reinstate the full service 13/13a timetable as operated prior to First West and North Yorkshire’s decision to de-register certain parts of the route/timetable, supporting the continuation of those elements with Council subsidy but without the elements outlined at paragraph 26 of the report.

b. Accept the commercially registered service registered by First West and North Yorkshire, namely a daytime service no longer linked to the Monks Cross area of York.

c. As per option b) above but adjusting the loop to serve the bottom end of Stockton Lane and Woodlands Grove.

d. Allow the cessation of the journeys as per First West and North Yorkshire’s proposed commercial timetable but retain the connection to Monks Cross at the Council’s cost.

The Executive Member confirmed that this was a complex issue but referred to the high weekly subsidy required to maintain the service, which would not be cost effective. He pointed out that he would be asking Officers to investigate a number of alternative options for services linking the area with Monks Cross. He stated that he would also be asking Officers to examine the location of the No 9 bus stops on Malton Road to assist residents together with the further promotion of the Dial and Ride service.

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

i) Note the content of the petition;

ii) Support Option b to accept the commercially registered service 13 registered by First West and North Yorkshire, namely a daytime service no longer linked to the Monks Cross area of York;

iii)Propose to First Group that route 13 should be operated in a bi-directional loop around Elmfield Avenue – Dodsworth Avenue; ^1.

iv)Ask Officers to further investigate how best to offer a link between Dodsworth/Elmfield Avenue and Monks Cross as part of the ongoing review of the tendered bus network. Such a link to be established before access, via the number 13, is discontinued and to be subject to further discussions with businesses at Monks Cross, and elsewhere on the route, regarding revenue contributions towards the service (as described in para. 20 of the officer report); ^2.

v)Instruct Officers to arrange to move the No. 9 bus service stops on Malton Road to a point closer to the Laburnum Garth junction whilst ensuring that they are easily accessible from the Woodlands/Elmfield View residential area; ^3.

vi)Ask Officers to ensure that alternative bus services, including dial and ride, are well publicised in the Woodlands/Elmfield View area before the 13A loop is discontinued; ^4.

vii)Ask Officers to approach Coastliner to investigate whether Route 844 could be diverted via Woodlands Grove. ^5.

REASON:                  The proposed, subsidised, extensions to the commercial route can be accommodated within the budget for this year. It is highly likely, however, that the public transport budget will require re-evaluation following the Government’s comprehensive spending review and would not be a priority area for expenditure when compared to other supported bus routes. The discontinued section of route (and hours of operation) can be accommodated in the review of subsidised bus services to be undertaken later this year. The bi-directional route is proposed as this is felt to best serve the needs of the Dodsworth Avenue/Elmfield Avenue residents and the commercial needs of First West and North Yorkshire.