Agenda item

This report informs the Executive Member of a petition received concerning planned reductions to evening and Sunday bus services in the Clifton, Rawcliffe and Skelton ward and further examines the objections raised.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member for City Strategy agrees:

i) That the level of service proposed to the affected areas following the review of the York Tendered Bus Network best matches the potential demand, whilst remaining affordable.

ii) To take no further action, beyond the approval given in December 2010, accepting that the proposed network of subsidised services is the best that can be provided within the existing budgetary restrictions.

REASON:                  The Council has undertaken a thorough review of frequencies, routeings and demand for the existing procured bus network in York prior to a re-tendering exercise currently taking place as a result of the expiry of the existing contracts. Whilst some routes will change and frequencies reduce slightly in the evenings and on Sundays, we have managed to maintain a level of service to all areas currently served within the context of a greatly reduced ability to provide funding.

The Executive Member considered a report provided in response to a petition received concerning planned reductions to evening and Sunday bus services in the Clifton, Rawcliffe and Skelton ward. The petition had also objected to the maintenance of frequent park and ride services specifically provided for residents.

The organiser of the petition, a resident of Howard Link, made representations in support of the retention of evening and Sunday services to cover this area. She referred to the lack of publicity of the proposed cuts and to the effect on the quality of life these would have on residents, hotels etc on this route.  She requested the retention of regular hourly services and the resumption of a Monday to Saturday evening service at around 10.15pm.

Officers referred to the withdrawal of the No 22 service some years ago following poor usage. It was also confirmed that the Friday/Saturday evening journeys were in keeping with those provided to other areas. The new Sunday route 112 would, with commercial route 30, provide an hourly daytime service on Sundays.

The Executive Member referred to additional representations he had received in support of the evening bus service. He confirmed that decisions on the profile of future subsidised bus service in York had been taken at the December meeting. Since then North Yorkshire County Council had decided to cut many of their services some of which started and finished within York’s boundaries. He pointed out that the Council had agreed to sustain their budget to continue to subsidise off peak journeys within the area, in the main with the aim of continuing daytime services. With regard to the reference to the City’s Park and Ride service being subsidised at the expense of social bus services he confirmed that the small surplus generated by the contract was put back into the social network. Reference was also made to last years trial of a late evening service to Rawcliffe however usage had been low and therefore subsequently withdrawn.

Consideration was then given to the following options:

a.         Require the Council to increase the level of service to Clifton, Rawcliffe and Skelton to cover the bus services identified for withdrawal of North Yorkshire subsidy.

b.         Take no further action beyond the approval given in December 2010, accepting that the proposed network of subsidised services is the best that can be provided within the existing budgetary restrictions.

c.         Propose that the petitioners fund their own bus service outside of the procured network.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member for City Strategy agrees:

i)                    That the level of service proposed to the affected areas following the review of the York Tendered Bus Network best matches the potential demand, whilst remaining affordable.

ii) To take no further action, beyond the approval given in December 2010, accepting that the proposed network of subsidised services is the best that can be provided within the existing budgetary restrictions. ^1.

REASON:                  The Council has undertaken a thorough review of frequencies, routeings and demand for the existing procured bus network in York prior to a re-tendering exercise currently taking place as a result of the expiry of the existing contracts. Whilst some routes will change and frequencies reduce slightly in the evenings and on Sundays, we have managed to maintain a level of service to all areas currently served within the context of a greatly reduced ability to provide funding.