Agenda item

This report is a brief update to present a proposed scope of works to investigate opportunities to restart a community transport service in York. The intention is to find a model to replace the previous service, known as Dial & Ride, which folded at the end of 2023.

The Head of Transport Policy and Travel Behaviour introduced the report. He apologised for the time taken to reach this point and acknowledged the desire to get a community transport service running as soon as possible. He however, outlined the importance of undertaking the proposed study to ensure a long-term solution could be identified and developed that would be capable of unlocking sufficient funding to ensure a successful service.

The Committee expressed its disappointment and frustration that the Council had not achieved more to develop a new community transport service, highlighting that two years had passed since the service folded and the work undertaken by the scrutiny task and finish group on the topic. Members enquired whether instead of commissioning a study if the £20,000 allocated in the budget could instead be used to start a new community transport service while the Council sought additional funding. Officers explained that the £20,000 would not achieve much in launching the service and argued that the study was needed to ensure the Council could attract long term funding. Officers also explained that they were seeking to use consultants for this work as there was not the capacity in the Council for the work noting that North Yorkshire Combined Authority was now the Transport Authority.

Members asked whether the Council was confident that it would be able to secure funding for the service form the Combined Authority. It was noted that the Combined Authority was still awaiting its final grand settlement, therefore the amount of funding available was still to be determined, however, Officers explained that they would expect a community transport service to perform well in attracting funding against other schemes. The Committee also enquired about other funding options such as working with Adult Social Care and officers confirmed that those conversations would take place. Officers also confirmed to Members that they would explore potential available funding from the sale of vehicles form the pervious scheme.

The Committee raised concerns that the proposed scope of the study would be to narrow. Members noted that the task and finish group had investigated multiple different models and asked that the Council consider if a wider scope such as including transport for people in remote locations or SEND transport could help develop a better service. They also enquired as to whether a bridging service was a possibility and raised concern that the option of an in-house provision was not being sufficiently considered. Officers agreed the committee and stated that they would look at the possibility of expanding the scope for consideration in the study, as well as, exploring the option of an in-house run service. Officers also confirmed they would consider if a bridging position was possible but noted that this would be unlikely.

The Executive Member for Transport acknowledged the frustration and the harm the lack of a community transport service since the collapse of the Dial and Ride service. She stated that it was challenging for staff in transport due to the high volume of day-to-day work, staff sickness, and vacancies. She therefore argued that this was why it was crucial to undertake a study which could identify a sustainable long-term model which would be capable of attracting funding for the service.

Resolved:

                      i.         To request that the Executive Member for Transport seek to increase the priority of delivering a community transport service;

                    ii.         To request that the Council explore the rollout of a bridging service to deliver community transport while a permeant model was being developed;

                   iii.         To request that the scope of the study be expanded to explore whether different models which could include a wider user base of a community transport service could provide to be a more viable/more effective service;

                  iv.         To request that the study consider the viability and effectiveness of delivering an in-house community transport service rather than external provision;

                    v.         That officers would explore options for potential funding such as funding from Adult Social Care and would also explore the use of funds from the sale of assets connected to the previous scheme.  

Reason:    To support the delivery of an effective community transport service in York.